The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is providing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support recruitment and retention efforts for direct care staff.
Consumer Direct Care Network Texas is in the process of gathering the data required by HHSC for the attestation form to receive ARPA funds. We will submit this data to HHSC by August 15, 2022.
We look forward to using these funds to provide active caregivers with bonuses in the upcoming months.
Bonuses may be paid out to any caregiver who is active in our system. If you have a caregiver who no longer works for you, please let our office know so we can deactivate them appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ARPA?
ARPA stands for the American Rescue Plan Act. This is a law passed by the federal government that temporarily increases funding for Medicaid Home and Community Based Services.
What does ARPA mean for employers in Texas?
For CDS employers, HHSC has decided to give additional funding to FMSAs for claims billed from 03/01/2022-08/31/2022. The FMSAs will then work with the CDS employers to spend the funding as outlined by HHSC.
When can employers start getting/using these funds? What date will employees receive the money?
CDTX will be waiting for all funds to come through on the claims before paying the funds out to CDS employees. It is anticipated that funding will be paid out in fall/winter of 2022. CDTX will send further correspondence out when more specific information is determined.
How can employers use these funds?
HHSC outlines that employers/FMSAs must ensure that 90% of HCBS ARPA funds are used for one-time financial compensation for recruitment and retention for their direct care staff. The remaining 10% of the funds may include payment to FMSAs to assist in administrative duties related to use of funds. (Employers/FMSAs are prohibited from using 90 percent of ARPA funds to increase hourly wages, including overtime, paid to direct care staff on an ongoing basis, per HHSC regulations.)
Is the money paid to the employer?
No – The extra funding is currently being paid to the FMSA, who will then distribute the money directly to the CDS employees. The employers will not receive any money directly.
Is the money income tax exempt?
When the funding is paid out to the caregivers, it will be subject to any usual taxes that occur on income.
Does the employer have to do anything to receive this funding?
CDTX is completing all attestations and reporting required by HHSC on behalf of employers. No action is needed from employers at this time.