Spectrum Arch, Inc.When budgets need to change
A staff member leaves, a new goal comes up, a class ends, or the person's needs shift. Budgets can be amended during the budget year to reflect that.
Two kinds of amendment
- Cost-neutral (simplified) amendment: for smaller changes, such as moving money between lines, OPWDD provides a simpler cost-neutral amendment form.
- Full budget amendment: for larger changes, the budget is revised and resubmitted for review.
Your Support Broker can tell you which one a change needs, and prepares it with you.
Review it regularly
It's customary for the Circle of Support to meet about twice a year to look at how the budget is meeting the person's needs. Small adjustments made at those meetings are far easier than a scramble at the end of the year.
The budget year resets
Each budget has an annual effective date. Spending in any budget year can't exceed the Personal Resource Account (PRA), and that cap resets on the anniversary of the effective date. Unused money doesn't roll over.
What renews every year
- Level of care (LCED): eligibility for HCBS Waiver services is redetermined annually.
- Medicaid: watch for renewal letters. A missed renewal can stop services.
- The Life Plan, which your Care Manager reviews and updates.
- Your Support Broker's authorization: OPWDD authorizes brokers each year through July 31. It's fair to ask your broker for their current authorization.
Sources: OPWDD Self-Direction Guidance (March 2022); OPWDD, Cost Neutral Budget Amendment; OPWDD, LCED Instructions; OPWDD, Support Broker Authorization FAQ.