Table of Contents
What is PDD?
Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) is a provincial government funding program under Alberta’s Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services. This program supports adult Albertans (ages 18 and older) whose lives are impacted by a developmental disability. The goal of the program is to allow these individuals to be a part of their communities and live as independently as they can.
Individuals who qualify for PDD benefits receive a yearly renewable contract based on their specific disability-related needs and circumstances. Because PDD aims to fund individualized services for each individual, the contracts vary and change over time as the individual grows and their needs change.
The PDD Program funds four types of staffing supports based on an Individualized Service Plan (ISP)
- Home Living Supports help individuals in their home (for example: meal planning and housekeeping)
- Community Access Supports help individuals participate in their community (for example: volunteering, sports, day programs, and other activities)
- In-Home Respite to give family members a break from their caregiving responsibilities
- Employment Supports train, educate and support individuals to get and keep jobs
How Does PDD Work?
PDD services are usually provided by service providers in the community. PDD service providers are agencies that specialize in helping people with disabilities. PDD gives these agencies money to pay for the staff supports that the individuals need. Services provided by an agency are part of an ISP.
PDD services can also be provided through a Family Managed Services (FMS) agreement. With FMS, an individual with a developmental disability, their family, or a close friend can directly hire staff or a service provider that has been approved by the PDD management. A family can also have a blend of agency and FMS models.
Eligibility
- The individual must have a “significant limitation in intellectual capacity.” This means an IQ score of 70 or below.
- The individual must have a “significant limitation in adaptive skills.” This means the individual needs help with daily living activities like making food.
- The individual must have had both these limitations before they turned 18.
For more detailed information about these eligibility criteria, see the Developmental Disabilities Guidelines.
Application Process
To apply for funding through the PDD Program, please click here to complete an online application. Once the form is received, someone from the PDD Program will contact you to inform you if you are eligible and introduce you to an assigned caseworker. Unfortunately there is currently a long wait time to process new applications. PDD recommends that you apply to the program when your child turns 16.5 years old.
If you need help filling out this application form, call 1-877-644-9992. This call is free if you are calling within Alberta.
More Information on PDD
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/persons-with-developmental-disabilities-pdd.aspx
Phone: 1-877-644-9992
Commonly Used Terms
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) offers financial and health benefits for eligible Albertans with a permanent medical condition that prevents them from earning a living.
Alberta Adult Health Benefit
A program that covers health benefits for low-income households who are pregnant or have high ongoing prescription drug needs. This health plan includes children who are at least 18 years old if they are living at home and attending high school.
Alberta Aids to the Daily Living
A program that provides funding for basic medical equipment and supplies for Albertans with long-term disabilities, chronic illness or terminal illness so that clients can live independently at home and within their communities.
Capacity Assessment
A professional assessment that is done to see if an adult can make personal or financial decisions and can understand the consequences.
Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
A federal benefit for low-income Canadians with disabilities. In Alberta, a person must have applied for the Disability Tax Credit to receive the CDB.
Adult Day Program (ADP)
Provides socialization, recreation activities and exercise programs for home care clients and provides respite to family caregivers of adults 18+ who are medically stable.
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
A federal tax credit that may reduce the income tax amount that an individual with a disability or their caregiver has to pay.
Functional Assessment
A functional assessment is the process of systematically identifying factors that predict and maintain “behaviours of concern.” It is then used to identify teaching and intervention strategies to be used in a positive behaviour support plan.
Guardianship
A court order that gives someone legal authority to make personal, legal, health and/or financial decisions on behalf of an adult who does not have this capacity.
Office of the Public Guardian and Trusteeship (OPGT)
Assist people with information and resources in the areas of guardianship services, trusteeship services, capacity assessment information and court applications, complaints about guardians, trustees and agents, and advance planning.
Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)
A program that helps eligible adults plan, coordinate and access services to live as independently as they can in their community.
Psycho-Educational Assessment
A comprehensive evaluation by a psychologist that identifies a person’s learning strengths and needs to understand why they may be struggling in certain areas. PDD uses the Full-Scale IQ score from this assessment to determine eligibility in the program.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
A long-term savings plan meant to provide future support for individuals with a disability.
Respite
Respite provides short-term relief for primary caregivers. Respite care can take place in a person’s home, in a provider’s home, or in a care facility.
Trusteeship
The legal or moral responsibility of managing financial accounts on behalf or for the benefit of others.