Respite services are services that provide short-term, temporary relief to the informal, unpaid caregiver of an individual in order to support and preserve the primary caregiving relationship.
The service person provides general supervision of the person, meal preparation, and hands-on assistance with personal care that are incidental to supervision of the person during the period of service delivery. Respite services can be provided on a planned or emergency basis and shall only be furnished in the person’s home.
The SCDDB established criteria for this benefit, which must be met in order for a member to receive the respite services. Criteria include:
- The person must reside in their natural home that is not owned, leased, or controlled by a provider of any health-related treatment or support services.
- The person must receive service coordination through LinkAbility, a contracted agency of the Department of Mental Health.
- This person’s disability must meet the definition of a developmental disability.
Respite Benefit Coverage/Limitations
- Respite services are limited to no more than 25 hours per month and up to 300 hours per year*.
- Respite services must not be delivered by the person’s parent or guardian.
- Respite care provider must live outside of the person’s natural residence. The provider can be an adult relative of the person.
- Charges for any additional non-qualifying people (siblings, other children, etc.) will not be paid by SCDDB.
- The provider must be over age 18 and have reasonable experience/training in caring for the person.
- The provider cannot have a felony conviction or substantiated charge of Abuse or Neglect in any jurisdiction.
If you have questions or wish to apply, please contact your LinkAbility service coordinator.
*Individuals may be authorized for up to $3,000 in total funding from SCDDB in a calendar year (including art and music therapy, camp scholarships, individual funding, and respite.)