How NJ DDD budgets work

Who DDD serves

The NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) funds services for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. To receive services through DDD's two Medicaid waiver programs, a person must:

• Be 21 or older (you can apply from age 18, but services start at 21)
• Be a U.S. citizen and a New Jersey resident
• Be eligible for or enrolled in Medicaid
• Be found by DDD to meet the functional criteria for a developmental disability: one that began before age 22, is expected to be lifelong, and substantially limits at least three major life areas, such as self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, independent living or economic self-sufficiency

Applying

The person applying submits DDD's Application for Determination of Eligibility with supporting documents. A family member can help fill it in. DDD says it can take up to 60 days to tell you whether you are eligible, and missing documents make it longer.

Where the budget comes from: the NJCAT and your tier

DDD uses the New Jersey Comprehensive Assessment Tool (NJCAT) to understand how much support a person needs in three areas: self-care, behavior and medical needs. A DDD facilitator completes it with the person and the people who know them well. Students turning 21 may complete it during their last school year.

The NJCAT results set the person's tier, and the tier sets the yearly budget for services. DDD mails a tier letter within about four weeks of the assessment. If needs change, you can ask for a reassessment, which may raise, lower or keep the tier.

Which program the budget belongs to

The program matters because a few services belong to one program only. Our guide to Individual Supports and Community-Based Supports explains the difference.

• Supports Program: there is no waiting list to enroll.
• Community Care Program: has extra requirements, including an institutional level of care and Medicaid income and resource rules, and a waiting list unless DDD finds the person at imminent risk of homelessness.

How the budget turns into services

Every participant has a support coordinator from an agency that works independently of service providers. The support coordinator works with the person and their planning team to build a yearly service plan, often called the Individualized Service Plan (ISP), and updates it when things change. Services and providers are chosen in that plan and paid from the budget.

You choose your providers. DDD's online provider search lets you look for agencies that serve your county. Support coordinators also meet with participants at least once a month to check that services are working.

Keep Medicaid active

Everyone enrolled in the Supports Program or the Community Care Program must be enrolled in Medicaid. New Jersey residents who receive SSI qualify for Medicaid automatically; others can apply through their County Social Service Agency. DDD recommends applying for SSI at 18 if you plan to use DDD services. If Medicaid is denied or ends, DDD has a Medicaid eligibility troubleshooting form.