The individualized budget is defined as:

Study for the Family and Self-Directed Services Support Broker Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get prepared for success!

An individualized budget in self-directed Medicaid services is the amount of Medicaid funds allocated to an individual each year to spend on supports and services that the program allows. This money is controlled by the person, who decides how to allocate it among approved services and providers to meet their goals, as long as expenditures stay within the plan and program rules. It isn’t a fixed amount set by law for everyone, nor is it simply the total cost of all supports without considering need, and it isn’t funding coming from an employer. This structure empowers the person to tailor services to their unique needs and preferences, with support from a broker or fiscal intermediary to plan, track, and ensure compliant use of the funds.