REST Program (Respite Enables Support
Self-Hired Respite for Individuals under 21
The JFCS REST Program provides parents with the means to hire someone to care for their child with intellectual / developmental disabilities so that they can focus on their “other” needs at no additional cost. Respite provides parents with a break from caregiving to recharge, spend time with other family members, address their own needs, or simply enjoy some well-deserved time off. To meet our Self-Hired Respite team, Dina Sassano and Sydney Breslow, click HERE.
What is the purpose of Self-Hired Respite? Self-Hired Respite gives you the flexibility to hire a caregiver you know and trust to care for your child with a developmental disability from birth until they turn 21. This allows you to take a much-needed break, focus on other tasks, or spend time with your other children, while alleviating the burden of paying for help or relying on the kindness of friends and family.
How do I apply for Self-Hired Respite? By first applying to PerformCare. Call PerformCare at 1-877-652-7624, and they will initiate an assessment. Once they determine your child’s eligibility and level of need, they will work with you on completing the application process. Once you are admitted to PerformCare, you can use their portal, Cyber, to find a Self-Hired Respite provider (that would be us!). If you want to use JFCS as a provider, you can request to be added to our portal. Once that happens, we can assist you directly!
How do I hire a caregiver? You find or have someone to watch your child when needed. JFCS is the third party between you and Medicaid to “hire” this person to watch your child. We will send you documentation to fill out, and the caregiver will be required to complete a background check. You can start using your chosen caregiver as soon as your child is admitted to a program in PerformCare and their 90-day authorization period begins. The background check must be completed within 90 days of the family submitting their first claim to be paid.
What happens if my caregiver does not pass the background check? As soon as JFCS is provided with that information, we will contact you to request a new caregiver. However, you will still be able to pay the initial caregiver whatever is owed to them for services already rendered.
How often can I use this service? You are entitled to receive reimbursement for 90 hours of respite services every 90 days. Those 90 hours can be used as needed i.e., you can use 30 hours a month, or 90 hours in one month.
What happens to the hours I do not use within the 90-day period? Unused hours are no longer accessible.
How do I pay the caregiver? You can pay the caregiver using whatever method you choose, including Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, cash, or check.
How do I receive reimbursement? You submit a claim, in the form of a document provided by our agency. It is a simple form to fill out confirming that services were rendered. Once we receive the documentation, we submit your claim to Medicaid. Once Medicaid provides us with the payment, we send a check in your name so you can pay the caregiver or reimburse yourself if you already paid them.
Is the reimbursement taxable income? The reimbursement is tax-free since it is associated with disability benefits for your child.
Is there a deadline for submitting claims? How many claims can I submit at once? You have a year from the date the service was provided to submit a claim. You can submit as many claims as were used, provided they follow the guidelines for allotted hours allowed and are within the authorized timeframe.
What is the benefit of choosing JFCS as my respite provider? Our empathetic Respite team is willing to help answer any questions or concerns families may have. We listen to the needs and concerns of our respite families. We provide complimentary support groups and resource navigation now, as well as in the future as your child ages out of the respite program when they turn 21. We offer special incentives for referring other families to the JFCS self-hired respite program.