Family Reimbursement Grant Program

The Family Reimbursement Grant is an OPWDD funded program that financially assists families to care for a family member with a developmental disability. Families are reimbursed for expenses they have paid out of pocket. Requests must be directly related to the needs of an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability.

The grant serves people with developmental disabilities of all ages who live with a family member (biological, adoptive or extended) and have OPWDD eligibility. Individuals living alone or in foster care are not eligible.

We serve individuals in the following counties: Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington. Individuals living in Columbia, Greene, Ulster and Dutchess counties can apply for reimbursement for Respite only.

Click here for Allowable and non-allowable items

All applicants must complete and submit an application. Families and/or Care Manager can complete the application but the caregiver must sign it.

Click here for application

CFDS has a Family Reimbursement Committee who reviews applications. The committee can only approve applications for reimbursements through FSS where the application establishes that the:

• Individual has established eligibility for OPWDD services;
• Individual/family meets FSS eligibility criteria;
• Reimbursement request cannot be funded by any other funding mechanism;
• Reimbursement request does not exceed contractual limits and/or individual spending cap;
• Requested item or service:
  1. Is related to the individual’s intellectual or developmental disability;
  2. Supports a quality of life comparable, to the extent practicable, to that of similarly situated families without a family member having a developmental disability;
  3. Maximizes the potential of the individual; and
  4. Supports the individual to remain at home with their family.

A final review is completed by OPWDD

OPWDD has set the following limit on Reimbursement:  A maximum of $3,000 can be reimbursed per year per person per year. The funds must be spent between January 1st and December 31st for the year you are awarded funds.

Unfortunately, no, you must hire and make all arrangements for respite care yourself.

Yes, as long as the family member does not live in the same household as the individual receiving services. Parents of individuals are also not allowed to be reimbursed for providing Respite care.

No. OPWDD requests that families utilize ONE agency for Family Reimbursement per Calendar Year.

You can submit both receipts or Respite Verification Forms monthly or less frequently if you would like. All receipts and Respite Verification forms must be received by December 31st of the award year. All funds awarded must be spent during the award year.

Respite Verification Form

The family or the Care Manager should include this information on the application and have a conversation with the Program Director to discuss options.

Please let the Program Director of the program aware as soon as possible about any changes so that funds can be reallocated.

OPWDD Family Support Reimbursement