Disability & Long-Term Care · Surprise rank #59
Use OPWDD Services? Self-Direction Lets You Choose Staff, Activities and How Your Approved Budget Is Used
OPWDD Self-Direction lets eligible people with developmental disabilities take more control over who supports them, what services they use and how an approved individualized budget is allocated.
Who
People eligible for OPWDD services who are enrolled in the Home and Community Based Services Waiver and want greater responsibility and flexibility in their supports.
What to do
Start here: Ask the Care Manager about Self-Direction and attend an OPWDD Self-Direction information session.
Eligibility: The person must be eligible for OPWDD services and enrolled in the HCBS Waiver. Budget Authority requires an approved Self-Direction budget and support from the required planning/fiscal-intermediary structure.
What you get
Self-Direction can provide Employer Authority, Budget Authority or both, allowing the participant to choose staff, schedules, supports and how approved funds are allocated.
Benefit: Control over an individualized OPWDD service budget and the ability to choose eligible services, staff and purchases within the approved plan.
Possible value: Varies with the participant's Personal Resource Account and approved Self-Direction budget; it is not a cash grant paid directly to the participant.
Good to know
Important: The budget is not unrestricted cash. Purchases and services must be allowable, budgeted and processed under OPWDD rules, often through a Fiscal Intermediary.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Families may know OPWDD provides services but not realize they can choose a model that gives them much more direct authority over the approved service budget.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026