SDPS PAY

The State of California provides financial supports to persons with disabilities (participants) through various Regional Centers.  There are 21 Regional Centers throughout California.  SDPS Pay is contracted with the San Diego Regional Center (SDRC).

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Traditionally, participants could only use service providers / vendors who were vetted and contracted by the Regional Center itself.  However, there were a large variety and number of service providers available, who are not affiliated with the Regional Center. 

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To address this limitation, in 2021, the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) rolled out the Self-Determination Program for Regional Center participants.  Under this Program, participants now have the opportunity to receive the same amount of budgeted funding as they did for traditional services; however, now they can choose which types of therapies and service providers to hire.  There is much greater flexibility about who can provide needed services, which are vetted by a financial management company, such as SDPS Pay, instead of by the Regional Center. 

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Service providers have to meet certain requirements and provide supporting documentation to the financial management company in order to receive payments for services.  All payments are processed by the financial management company – in this case SDPS Pay.  SDPS Pay must ensure that service providers / vendors submit current business licenses, credentials, and IRS tax documentation, such as a W-9.  SDPS Pay issues a 1099 statement to service providers / vendors at the end of each calendar year.

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Once service providers / vendors are vetted by SDPS Pay, the participant can determine the frequency of services and can negotiate the rate directly with the service provider, as long as they do not exceed the authorized amounts in their Spending Plans.  All participant Spending Plans are approved in advance by the San Diego Regional Center.

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• Service Overview:  Examples of authorized services include respite / caregiver services, skilled nursing, nutrition, crisis and behavioral intervention services, psychology and counseling services, speech/hearing services, chiropractic services, occupational / physical therapy, community integration supports, training and education, employment and technology supports, purchase of specialized medical equipment and supplies, and/or other participant directed goods and services that support the Individual Program Plan (IPP).​​