Maryland
How do I get in-home support for myself or my loved one?
With self-direction, you have the right to live the life you choose. Everyone’s situation is different. For some, self-direction means receiving full-time support from someone they trust–right in their home and community. For others, it might mean hiring a friend to drive them to get groceries or community events a few times a week. The goal is for you to choose what type of support you want and need.
Self-direction puts you in the driver’s seat. This comes with some responsibilities, including working with your coordinator of community service (CCS) to develop a plan that meets your needs. You also manage your own budget and make sure your authorized funds are being spent properly. The GT Portal helps make this part simpler with helpful reports about your budget and utilization management.
GT Independence works with these waiver programs in Maryland:
- Community Pathways
- Community First Choice
- Community Personal Assistance Services
You deserve to live the life you choose. GT is here to make that easier.
More About Self-Direction
Learn more about how self-direction works across the country.
How GT Independence Can Help You
GT Independence is a financial management and counseling service (FMCS). This means that you decide who provides the support—and we handle the details.
For example, you hire caregivers you know and trust. We support you by taking care of all the necessary paperwork, like timesheets, paychecks, and payroll. We also provide counseling on how to make the most of your self-direction program.
At GT, we believe you should be able to decide who supports you and your loved ones. GT is here to help you learn how to control your own support in Maryland. So you have the information to decide what is best for you.
Why Choose GT?
Vendor Requirements
Vendor requirements are subject to change and the most current information is available on the Maryland Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Administration’s Self-Directed Services Guidance and Forms page.
To find the document with the vendor requirements, either follow the link to the right or head to the Self-Directed Services Guidance and Forms page, look for the Self-Direction section. Under the Self-Direction section, search for a link titled “Self-Directed Services Manual.” Once you open the PDF, go to page 134 of the manual as printed in the lower right corner (page 135 of the PDF). The section is called “DDA-operated Medicaid Waivers Self-Directed Services
Employee, Vendor, and DDA Provider Qualifications.”
The Maryland Department of Health DDA’s Self-Directed Services Guidance and Forms page has a complete list of self-direction resources.
Helpful Tools to Make Self-Direction Easier
The GT App
The GT App lets your caregivers start and end work from anywhere you choose. GT’s free app helps caregivers easily track their hours, receive your approval for shifts, and submit their timesheets for payment. Right from a phone or tablet.
Download The GT App for free from the App Store or Google Play.
GT Portal
GT Portal was created with people who are also self-directing their care to make life easier, not harder. You will find everything you need to manage self-direction and make decisions with good information. You can review and approve timesheets, view budget reports in real-time, and even find a caregiver. You can also find forms, documents, and other resources for self-direction.
Enrolled with GT but don’t have an account? Contact us
Find a Caregiver
Looking for a potential employee near you? Your GT Portal account has a caregiver database with over 30,000 potential employees.
Sign in to your GT Portal account and select the Find a Caregiver tab to search for potential employees near you.
Don’t have an account? Contact us
Get Added to the Caregiver Database
Want to support people in their own homes (and get paid)? We can add you to Find a Caregiver, our online caregiver database. Potential employers near you can find you in the database and send you job offers. Contact us, and we’ll help you get started.*
*Entry into Find a Caregiver requires a background check
How to Pay Your Employees More
Find a Waiver
Community Pathways Waiver
Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
The Community Pathways Waiver helps people with disabilities live independent lives. Rather than going to group homes, you can stay in your own home and community. To make this possible, the waiver provides many different services. This includes the ability to hire employed caregivers.
How to Get Started
Take these steps to begin self-direction with GT Independence.
Talk with your coordinator of community services (CCS) or support broker. Tell them that you’re interested in self-direction.
If you’re eligible, your CCS will make a referral through LTSS Marlyand. Make sure to tell your CCS that you want GT Independence as your financial management services and counseling provider (FMCS).
Begin self-directing your services with GT Independence.
Would you like someone to guide you through the process?
Looking for a form?
To view forms, log into your portal account and visit the Resources tab. You can also view the DDA’s list of forms.
Don’t have access to a portal account? Get in Touch
Looking for resources?
Support Request Form
Fill out the form linked in the button below. We’re here to support you.
Your GT Support Team in Maryland
Megan Singh-Babcock
Director of Operations
Maryland Customer Support
Call: 877.659.4500
Email: customerservice@gtsd.org