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Family Reimbursement Program

What is the Family Reimbursement Program?

The Family Reimbursement Program is one of Starbridge’s Family Support Services (FSS), funded through the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Many families who have a family member with a developmental disability living at home have special expenses that the typical family does not have.

Expenses covered by FSS Family Reimbursement may include goods and services, respite care, community involvement, and other items. This program is designed to assist the family with these increased costs.

New in 2022:

OPWDD encourages families to work with only one or two agencies for your Family Support Services (FSS) Family Reimbursements. According to the new guidelines, you or your family member’s Life Plan must include FSS Family Reimbursement, along with which agency/agencies you plan to use. Your Care Manager should be able to assist you with this.

The maximum amount of FSS Family Reimbursement allowed by OPWDD for eligible individuals is $3,000 per calendar year. At Starbridge, we are able to process approved requests up to the individual max of $3,000.

 

How can Starbridge help you?

Starbridge offers Family Support Services Family Reimbursement for both the Finger Lakes and Western New York regions. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Finger Lakes Family Reimbursement

Update as of 9/15/22: Starbridge's Finger Lakes FRP is out of funds for 2022.

  • For residents of Monroe, Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, or Yates County
  • Family Reimbursement and Respite Reimbursement offered.
  • Finger Lakes FRP Review Meetings will be held every other month for all complete applications received the previous two months. Remaining meeting dates for 2022 are August 31, October 31, and December 30.

Western NY Family Reimbursement

  • For residents of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, or Orleans County
  • Family Reimbursement and Respite Reimbursement offered.
  • Western NY FRP Review meetings will be held every other month for all complete applications received the previous two months. Remaining meeting dates for 2022 are August 31, October 31, and December 30.

 

What are the eligibility requirements?

Families (biological, adoptive, or extended) are eligible if they have a family member with a developmental disability who lives at home, and eligibility has been determined by OPWDD.

 

Self-Direction

Individuals who self-direct and are applying for Family Support Services (FSS) Family Reimbursement must include Family Reimbursement in their Self-Direction budget. Any FSS Family Reimbursement is counted towards your total Personal Resource Account (PRA). If you have questions about your budget, your Broker or FI should be able to assist you.

 

How do you get started?

Review OPWDD’s FSS Family Reimbursement Guidelines [pdf]

Download and complete:

 

Submit your application to Kerri Noyes, Family Advocacy Report Manager, by email or mail to:

Starbridge
Attn: FSS Family Reimbursement
1650 South Avenue, Ste 200
Rochester, NY 14620

For questions or additional information, Kerri can be reached by phone at 585-559-0846 or email knoyes@starbridgeinc.org