What are your options for managing your funds?

The Passport program is a direct-funding program, which means that you or your authorized representative are responsible for managing the funding yourselves.  You can opt to manage all of it directly, or enlist help. Here are the options:

Direct Funding Only.  We refer to this as “Self-direct.”  In this situation, you, or someone in your life that you authorize, manages all of the Passport funds.  You

• arrange to attend community participation activities
• hire support services and supports up front
• file claims for reimbursements
• keep track of your funding

Transfer Payment Agencies are ministry-funded agencies that

• you hire to manage your passport funding
• provide administrative support
• coordinate services
• pay for supports and services up front on your behalf
• submit claims for reimbursement on your behalf
• are reimbursed directly by the program.
• may charge up to 10% for administrative fees

Brokerages are private agencies that

• you hire to manage your passport funding
• provide administration support
• coordinate your services
• pay for supports and services up front on your behalf
• submit claims for reimbursement on your behalf
• are reimbursed directly by the program
• may charge up to 10% for administrative fees

Service Agencies are private agencies that

• you hire to perform specific support services
• bill you for their own services
• do not coordinate additional services for you
• are paid directly by you
• will provide you with invoices which you must pay up front
• require you to submit claims for reimbursement, as they will not do that for you

Combination.  Families may choose a combination both direct funding and agency or brokerage.  You decide what percentage of your funds will be managed by you, and what will be managed by the agency or brokerage.

If you have any questions about which funding management strategy is best for you, please contact your coordinator.