APD · iBudget self-direction
Consumer Directed Care Plus (CDC+)
Facts last reviewed 2026-08-07 from public APD materials. Verify with your consultant.
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Self-directed option within the iBudget Florida HCBS waiver. Individuals who elect CDC+ become employers and manage supports, resources, and care through a monthly budget. The consumer (or representative) is the employer of record; a Fiscal/Employer Agent holds funds and pays workers at the consumer’s direction.
Eligibility (program)
- Enrolled in the Individual Budgeting (iBudget) Florida waiver
- Live in own home or a family home (not provider-owned/operated housing for self-directed personal assistance)
- Not previously disenrolled from CDC+ for mismanagement or inappropriate use of Medicaid funds
- Have an assigned CDC+ consultant; and a CDC+ representative if not acting as self-representative
Supports
- CDC+ consultant (Waiver Support Coordinator with CDC+ training) — guidance, readiness, monitoring
- Optional representative (unpaid advocate; cannot also be a paid provider for the same consumer)
- Fiscal/Employer Agent (F/EA) — payroll, tax withholding, W-2/1099, monthly statements
Budget notes
- Monthly budget is derived from the approved Medicaid waiver cost plan
- Program materials describe an approximate 8% discount for cost neutrality and a separate F/EA administrative fee (commonly described as about 4%) — confirm current percentages with your consultant and APD materials
- Spending is directed only through an approved Purchasing Plan
- Funds do not go to the family as unrestricted cash
- Unexpended funds and reinvestment rules are managed with the F/EA — follow current handbook guidance
Enrollment path (high level)
- Complete consumer/representative training and readiness review with your consultant
- Enrollment packet typically includes IRS Form 8821, IRS Form 2678, Program Consent, Informed Consent for the F/EA, and related agreements — use the current APD forms library
- Budget Authorization Form (BAF) / budget confirmation comes from the State Office before the first Purchasing Plan
- Submit the initial Purchasing Plan and new-hire packets to the consultant on the program calendar (historically by the 5th of the month prior to the desired start month — confirm current deadlines)
- Do not start a worker until the F/EA has issued a provider ID after a complete packet
Hiring notes
- Friends and family may be hired when program rules and service-code qualifications allow
- Workers need not be Medicaid-enrolled providers for many CDC+ services
- Level 2 background screening is required before work begins
- Screening cost is the provider’s responsibility; CDC+ funds cannot pay for screening
- Typical hiring packet: employee info, W-4, I-9, good moral character certificate, clearance letter, direct deposit
- Write a job description, negotiate rates, set schedules, train workers, and approve timesheets
- Service-code qualification charts on the APD site list role-specific requirements — use the live chart
Representative notes
- Representatives work as unpaid advocates (must be at least 18)
- Must be readily available to the consumer and consultant
- Cannot also provide paid services for the same consumer
- Florida law requires background screening for CDC+ representatives (excluding self-representatives) under sections 409.221 and 393.0655, F.S. — see APD CDC+ Representative Background Screening advisories
Your ongoing responsibilities
- Develop and keep the Purchasing Plan updated (consultant assists, does not own the plan for you)
- Hire, schedule, supervise, and when needed terminate workers
- Approve timesheets and invoices on the F/EA schedule
- Reconcile the monthly CDC+ statement
- Protect health and safety; maintain an emergency back-up plan
- Follow CDC+ Rule Handbook policies; Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) may be used if problems arise
What the F/EA handles
- Receive the monthly budget from Medicaid and maintain the CDC+ account
- Withhold employee and employer taxes; pay IRS and state taxes as applicable
- Issue payments to employees and vendors; year-end W-2 / 1099
- Assign provider IDs after complete packets
- Provide monthly statements and technical assistance on finance-related questions
Official APD document library
Forms and handbooks are updated on the APD site — always prefer the live page over cached PDFs.
Official helpline: 1-866-761-7043