Ten Things To Know About The New Jersey Division of Development Disabilities (Ddd)

1. Benefit.  The New Jersey DDD operates two programs.  One is called the Supports Program (SP), the other is called the Community Care Program (CCP).

• SP is a Medicaid Waiver Program that provides services for eligible adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, age 21 or older living with their families or in other unlicensed settings.  The Supports Program provides opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to make their own choices and direct their own services.  It is also provides the enrollee with employment services.
• Under the CCP, an individual would have to be institutionalized.  There is a support coordinator assigned by the support coordination agency.  The coordinator becomes the “coach” person for the individual. 
• Services available include:
  • Assistive technology.  Assistive technology is any item, equipment, software or product system that maintains or improves the functional capabilities of an individual with disabilities.  Tools ranging from low-tech (magnifiers, walkers) to high-tech (speech generating devices and screen reading) that promote independence, education and employment.  Types of applications and assistive technology include:
    • Mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and scooters to assist with movement.
    • Hearing aids, cochlear implants and text telephones.
    • Speech generating devices, communication apps and picture-based systems.
    • Cognitive aids such as memory aids, alarms systems and apps for task management.
    • Environmental aids such as smart home technology (i.e., automated lights, thermostats) power lift and door openers.

The benefit of assistive technology is that it enables individuals to perform daily tasks on their own.

• Behavioral supports.  Behavioral support begins with identifying triggers, patterns and underlying causes of behaviors and then developing tailored strategies.  The idea is to replace challenging behaviors with functional skills.  The services are often coordinated through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).
• Career planning.  Career planning is the process of assessing personal interests and skills, exploring professional opportunities and actionable goals to achieve long-term success.
• Cognitive rehabilitation (SP only).  Cognitive rehabilitation refers to efforts to restore or compensate for impaired cognitive functioning.  The impairment is generally caused by neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury, neurological degenerative diseases or stroke.  The goal is to improve daily functioning and independence.
• Community based supports (SP only).  Community based supports are one-on-one tailored services designed to help individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities live independently and participate in their communities.  These include assistance on a job site to learn tasks and improve social skills in a work environment.
• Community inclusion services.  These services include employment support, educational activities and personalized support.
• Community transition services (CCP only).  The purpose of these services is to assist an individual moving from long-term care services to community settings (i.e., nursing home residents).
• Day habilitation.  Day habilitation services include structured, out-of-home, or community-based services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Environmental modifications.  Environmental modification involves changing physical surroundings to increase independence, safety and accessibility, or to alter natural processes on a larger scale.  Examples include installing wheelchair ramps, widening doorways, and adjusting lighting for individual with disabilities.
• Fiscal management services.  Fiscal management services are specialized fiscal intermediaries that manage payroll, taxes, and administrative tasks for individuals in self-directed programs.
• Goods and services.  Good and services are physical products and intangible actions.  Good are tangible physical items such as food, clothing and automobiles.  Services are intangible actions performed by people (i.e., medical care, repairs, teaching).
• Individual supports (CCP only).  Individual support services are personalized, one-one-one, community-based or in-home services designed to assist youth and adults with disabilities or special needs to enable them to become independent.
• Interpreter services.  These services provide real-time, verbal or signed language translation for in-person meetings, medical appointments, legal proceedings, and over-the phone or video calls.
• Natural supports training.  These services provide education and counseling to unpaid caregivers (i.e., family members, friends or neighbors) who support individuals with disabilities.

2.  Income Limit.  The income limit depends on specific Medicaid program rules.

3.  Resource Limit.  The resource limit depends on specific Medicaid program rules.

4.  Deeming.  Deeming depends on specific Medicaid program rules.

5.  Transfer of Asset Penalty.  The transfer of asset penalty depends on specific Medicaid program rules.

6.  Lookback Period.  The lookback period depends on specific Medicaid program rules.

7.  Penalty Calculation.  The penalty calculation depends on specific Medicaid program rules.

8.  Special Needs Trust.  A Special Needs Trust is usually needed.

9.  Who Can Collect?  There are various functional criteria for a development disability.

10. Determination of Disability.  The Social Security Administration (SSA) or the state Medicaid program makes a determination of disability.