Respite Voucher Program
The
Respite Voucher Program provides financial assistance to caregivers in the form
of vouchers that can be used to pay for respite care so the caregiver can take a
break. A caregiver is the person that is providing ongoing care for a
loved-one. It can be a parent, grandparent, spouse, or adult child/grandchild.
The voucher program is NOT designed to pay for ongoing care such as day care,
therapy, in home assistance, housekeeping or home health services.
Vouchers are awarded based on
availability of funds.
Income Guidelines:
For
caregivers who are taking care of someone who is age 60 and over, there are no
income qualifications.
For
those caring for someone who is under the age of 60 and has a developmental
disability, if the household income is under $45,000 per year they may be eligible
for a $400.00 voucher for three months. If the household income is over $45,000
but less than $60,000 per year they may be eligible for a $300.00 voucher for
three months.
Who
may qualify for the program:
- Grandparents raising grandchildren or other relative
as parent. Grandparent must be 60 or over or grandchild must have
developmental disability..
- Caregivers including spouses, adult children or
other relative caring for a person age 60 or older who need assistance
with daily living due to chronic health problems including Alzheimer’s,
dementia or other condition.
- Families who have adopted a child with special
health care needs who was once in the custody of the Dept. of Human
Services (DHS).
- Families with a member of any age with a
developmental disability and NOT receiving either the Home & Community
Based Waiver, the In-Home Support Waiver; or the Family Support Subsidy
($250 monthly payment).
- Families who have a child receiving SSI and services
through the SSI-Disabled Children's Program (DCP) at DHS.
How
It Works:
Call
toll-free at (888)
771-4550 or in OKC Metro 271-4550 and request a Respite Voucher application.
The person you talk to will need to ask you some questions to determine if you
qualify for the program. If so, the
application will be mailed to you and will include instructions on filling out
the form. After you have filled out the
application, you will need to return it to
The
approval process may take several weeks, depending on availability of funds.
Once
approved, vouchers for respite care will be issued by DHS and sent to the
applicant. Vouchers can then be used to purchase respite service from a
provider of your choice. Providers must be 18 years of age and can be anyone
except immediate family living in the home. If you don’t have a provider you
can call OASIS at (888) 771-4550 for a list of possible agency providers.
After
respite service is given, the voucher needs to be filled out by the caregiver
and the provider and returned to DHS. DHS will then send payment to the respite
provider.
Vouchers
are good for three months. Once they expire, the caregiver can request more
vouchers by calling
For
more information about the Respite Voucher Program, call 888-771-4550
***The Respite Voucher Application is not
available online at this time. You will need to call