FAQ Category: Individual Budget

Generally, a Self-Determination Program (SDP) participant purchases the services needed to implement their Individual Program Plan (IPP) with their individual budget funds. In some cases, however, some people may require additional services and supports outside of what is funded by the individual budget to meet the participant’s IPP needs and support the key principles of…

An individual’s budget amount cannot exceed the amount that services would have cost if the individual was not in the SDP.

The individual budget is the amount of money an SDP participant has available to purchase needed services and supports. The spending plan is how that money will be used to purchase services and supports.

In the Self-Determination Program, you are able to purchase services approved in the Self-Determination waiver.

No, your budget amount is the same as it would be if you were obtaining services through your regional center.

Yes. In-Home Supportive Services is a generic resource and is not included or paid for through the Self-Determination Program.

Yes, a participant can only purchase services and supports that are approved by the federal government and listed in the Self-Determination Program waiver.

Budgets may be reduced by what you spent on a one-time purchase. Your IPP team may decide that you have a one-time need and include funding to meet that need in your individual budget and spending plan. For example, your IPP team may identify that you need a ramp to get into your home because…

For these individuals, the individual budget amount is determined by the individual program planning team by identifying the services and supports needed by the individual and available resources. The regional center will calculate the cost of providing services and supports by using the average cost paid by the regional center for each service or support…

A participant enrolled in the Self-Determination Program will have the same rights established under the traditional service model (e.g. appeals, fair hearing, and all other rights associated with the individual program plan process).