American Rescue Plan Act: Independent Living Supports Pilot

DHS works to strengthen the ability of Wisconsin residents to live independently for as long as they are able

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to create a new pilot program that is taking place in select areas of the state. The pilot, called the Independent Living Supports Pilot (ILSP) program, offers short-term, flexible, and limited services and supports for people at risk of entering Medicaid long-term care.

Enrollment closed

We are no longer accepting new participants for the ILSP program. If you are already enrolled, your local aging and disability resource center (ADRC) will continue to support you. Please check the ILSP Notice (PDF) for tips on how to make the best use of your funding before the program ends.

Benefits and services

The pilot program helps improve people’s ability to stay in their own homes, potentially easing the increased burden on Wisconsin’s long-term care system as our population ages. This pilot provides invaluable insight about how people seek information about services and supports. It will also help us understand potential barriers in accessing those services.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this pilot, program participants must:

• Be a Wisconsin resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant (8 U.S.C. 1621(a))
• Live in pilot ADRC or Tribal ADRS agency service area
• Be over age 18
• Not be currently enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs or living in a licensed or certified residential facility
• Earn less than 300% of the federal poverty level with no deductible or consideration of spousal income
• Have at least one eligible functional need
• Have a qualifying diagnosis (may be a long-term disability) if under age 55

Participating ADRCs

DHS has selected local aging and disability resource centers (ADRCs) to operate the pilot program in limited areas. The ADRCs that have been awarded funds to participate are:

Each selected ADRC will:

• Find eligible participants
• Help them enroll in the pilot
• Coordinate one-time and ongoing services
• Help participants transition to other services when the pilot ends

Providers

Participants will work with the ADRC to develop a plan for purchasing items and services. The program’s third-party administrator will review the service plan and contact providers to make arrangements for invoicing. The Independent Living Supports Pilot is not an insurance program, and it does not have a preferred provider network or use fee schedules.

 More information is available on the ILSP Provider Fact Sheet (PDF).

Funding

The Independent Living Supports Pilot is possible thanks for federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. Learn more about this funding, and sign up to receive updates about this funding in Wisconsin.