I am pleased to share this guidance that was issued today by the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services in response to concerns raised by the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities after last week's NACDD Weekly Update Call with Councils.

"The purpose of this memo is to offer guidance to those providers that serve as representative payee for DDS supported individuals and therefore may be or have been in receipt of the Economic Impact Payment on behalf of the individuals they support.

According to guidance issued by both the Social Security Administration and the Department of Social Services, Economic Impact Payments will not be counted as income in the month they are received and is excluded from assets for 12 months after receipt. Based on this guidance, the payment should not affect typical contributions received or be utilized by a provider to pay for cost of care.

In accordance with the DDS Personal Funds Financial Management Policy (I.G.PR.008) all Economic Impact Payments that are received by providers that serve as representative payee for those they support are to be considered “personal funds”. As such, the Planning and Support Team should be made aware of the money so that the individual, and his/her financial decision maker, can work with the team to make decisions about how the funds are used."