About the APD Application Process
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is the agency In Florida that funds services for the following intellectual and developmental disabilities: Severe form of autism, Cerebral palsy, Intellectual disabilities (Full Scale IQ of 70 or below), Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Phelan Mcdermid syndrome, spina bifida or myelomeningocele, or children between the ages of 3-5 at high risk for a later diagnosis of one of the disabilities listed above. APD services include participation in the iBudget Home and Community-Based Services Waiver or placement in an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ICF/IID).Prioritization
The applicant’s intellectual or developmental disability must have manifested itself before the age of 18 and be a substantial handicap that can reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely. As part of the application process, APD will request proof of a developmental disability diagnosis. Documentation of a developmental disability may include, but is not limited to, school records, testing, or medical records. APD may assist with the provision of a comprehensive assessment if necessary to definitively identify individual conditions or needs. If you have the proof of eligibility to include with your application, it will streamline the eligibility review process. Otherwise, APD will assist you in obtaining the information.
You must apply for APD services even if you received services before moving to Florida. To be eligible for APD services the applicant must be a Florida resident and at least 3 years old. Proof of residency include: Florida Driver’s License or ID Card, Florida’s Voter Registration Card, Florida’s Court Filed Declaration of Domicile, Homestead exemption filing, mortgage or lease agreement, or employment/school records. If you do not yet have proof of Florida identification, read “Why Does My Special Needs Child Need A Florida Driver’s License or ID Card?” to learn how to get it.
Application for services may be accepted from a parent or court-appointed guardian of a minor child, a legally competent adult or an authorized legal representative. For applicants under 18 years of age, the person’s legal representative must sign the application for APD services. If the applicant is 18 years of age or older, they must sign the application and all necessary documents unless they have been determined unable to do so by a court of law, or unless they have asked another person to exercise their rights in writing. An adult who is unable to sign may mark the signature line, and the mark shall be identified and witnessed as “their mark.” If the adult is incapacitated, the legal representative, as identified in a court order, shall execute all documents on behalf of the applicant.
Applicants who are in crisis – meaning they’re currently homeless, exhibit life-threatening behaviors that place them or others in extreme danger, or have a caregiver who is in extreme duress and can no longer provide for the applicant’s health and safety – should contact the APD regional office serving their county. The local regional office may be able to provide short term services and will review the situation to determine if a crisis waiver enrollment request is warranted.
APD maintains a Waiting List of individuals requesting services under the Medicaid Developmental Disabilities Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (known as “iBudget”). The Waitlist includes seven (7) categories of crisis level. Category 1 is the highest priority and category 7 is the lowest priority. You can review the Waitlist category crisis levels and qualifications here.
As part of their eligibility evaluation APD will perform a Questionnaire for Situational Information (QSI) test to assess the applicant’s abilities, behaviors, self-care, life safety and so on. The information provided in your application, along with the provided documentation, and the QSI test results determine if the applicant is eligible for APD services and which Waitlist category the applicant will be placed. You can review the Pre-enrollment Prioritization Tool APD uses to determine eligibility and Waitlist placement here.
Once on the Waitlist, the applicant can receive limited services with state-funded programs. Clinical eligibility has been determined so that when funding becomes available, or the applicant or caregiver encounter a crisis event, a full array of services can be made available.
Collect Required Documentation
The first step in applying for APD services is to collect all required documentation certifying that the applicant meets all eligibility requirements. Minimally, you will need:
- Proof of identity (birth certificate, Social security card),
- Proof of citizen or alien status (US birth Certificate, US passport, certificate of naturalization/citizenship, green card, USCIS alien status and number),
- Proof of residency (Florida Driver’s License or ID Card, Florida’s Voter Registration Card, Florida’s Court Filed Declaration of Domicile, Homestead exemption filing, mortgage or lease agreement, or employment/school records),
- Proof of a developmental disability diagnosis (medical records, school records, diagnostic evaluations, IQ tests, tests of adaptive functioning psychological evaluations, and general testing),
- Military service member’s Uniformed Services ID (if applicable),
- Written power of attorney or durable power of attorney (if applicable),
- To help push your case into the Waitlist priority crisis level category write your personal story and describe the worst day as an every day occurrence,
- To personalize your case include a photograph of the applicant.
Applying for APD Services
The next step is to complete the APD Application for Services. You can download the Application for Services directly from the APD website or from the AFINS Resources page. You need to print the application to complete it by hand.
Complete all sections. Do not leave any question unanswered. Sign and date the application.
Make Copies
Create an APD Application folder. Then make copies of the APD Application for Services and all supporting documentation to put in it.
Putting Together Your Package
Now that you have assembled all required documentation and completed the ADP Application for Services, it is time to put it all together into a single package, like a letter size mailing envelope.
Deliver Your Package to APD
Hand deliver your package to the local ADP office. APD Field Office 13 services Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. It is located at 901 Industrial Drive, Suite 100, Wildwood, FL 34785, and their phone number is (407) 245-0440.
Knock on the door when you arrive and ask to meet with the person who answers. Get their name and direct phone number, ask for contact information of the person you should follow up with, and do not leave without getting a signed receipt for your package that is date and time stamped.
If you cannot hand deliver your package. mail it to the Central Region Office at 400 West Robinson Street, Suite S430, Orlando, FL 32801 by United States Postal Service registered mail so you have a date and time stamped receipt.
Follow Up
APD will send you written notification within 30 business days letting you know if your case has been denied or approved. If your case is approved, you will be provided the funding amount, the approved service(s), and the dates of service(s).
If your case is denied, you have the right to request an administrative hearing within 30 days of the decision. If your situation changes, affecting your original status, you can reapply.
If APD wants more documentation, they will also notify you in writing within 30 business days. You will have 10 business days to provide the requested documentation or let them know that you want them to make their decision with the documentation already provided. APD then has 60 days from when you first submitted your package to deny or approve your case.
If you have not received notification from APD after 30 business days, be sure to reach out to your follow up contact and ask for the status of your case.
For More Information
For information on how to apply for APD services contact the Agency for Persons with Disabilities by phone, toll-free at 1-866-273-2273, or by mail at Agency for Persons with Disabilities, 4030 Esplanade Way, Suite 380 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0950. You can also find more information about APD services and how to apply for them on their website at apd.myflorida.com.
If you would like assistance and support to complete and submit your APD Application for Services, you are invited to attend our AFINS workshops, every other Tuesday, or contact us at afins.avp@gmail.com. Review the calendar at afins.group for workshop details, and other useful information for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their caregivers living in The Villages.
