Maryland Department of Health

Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

Wage Exception Form Request

This form is available for anyone who self-directs their DDA services in the State of Maryland. This form can be used to request an Exception to the Published Reasonable and Customary Wages as listed in the Self-Directed Services Manual.


Only the participant's Coordinator of Community Services may complete this form.


Please complete one form per job position.


Please reach out to your DDA Regional Office if you have questions, concerns, or need technical assistance.


*This form was updated May 16, 2025.

Participant's Financial Management and Counseling Services Provider*
Waiver Service*
Participant's County*

Choose the county the participant live in

Community Development Services Wages Maximums

The maximum wage exception standard for Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties is $62.30. Any request over this amount will be denied.


The maximum wage exception standard for all other counties is $53.04. Any request over this amount will be denied.


Please note, these rates will be updated on July 1, 2025 to reflect the July 1, 2025 Reasonable and Customary chart in the Self-Directed Services Manual.

Employment Services - Onjoing Job Supports Wages Maximum

The maximum wage exception standard for Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties is $76.09. Any request over this amount will be denied.


The maximum wage exception standard for all other counties is $66.91. Any request over this amount will be denied.


Please note, these rates will be updated on July 1, 2025 to reflect the July 1, 2025 Reasonable and Customary chart in the Self-Directed Services Manual.

Nursing Support Services Wages Maximum

The maximum wage exception standard for Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties is $102.31. Any request over this amount will be denied.


The maximum wage exception standard for all other counties is $95.43. Any request over this amount will be denied.


Please note, these rates will be updated on July 1, 2025 to reflect the July 1, 2025 Reasonable and Customary chart in the Self-Directed Services Manual.

IFDGS Day to Day Administrator Wages Maximum

The maximum wage exception standard for all counties is $60.46. Any request over this amount will be denied.


Please note, these rates will be updated on July 1, 2025 to reflect the July 1, 2025 Reasonable and Customary chart in the Self-Directed Services Manual.

Personal Support Services Wages Maximum

The maximum wage exception standard for Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties is $43.07. Any request over this amount will be denied.


The maximum wage exception standard for all other counties is $37.53. Any request over this amount will be denied.


Please note, these rates will be updated on July 1, 2025 to reflect the July 1, 2025 Reasonable and Customary chart in the Self-Directed Services Manual.

Personal Support Services - Enhanced Wages Maximum

The maximum wage exception standard for Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties is $55.83. Any request over this amount will be denied.


The maximum wage exception standard for all other counties is $47.54. Any request over this amount will be denied.


Please note, these rates will be updated on July 1, 2025 to reflect the July 1, 2025 Reasonable and Customary chart in the Self-Directed Services Manual.

Respite Care Services Wage Maximum

The maximum wage exception standard for Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties is $30.17. Any request over this amount will be denied.


The maximum wage exception standard for all other counties is $29.79. Any request over this amount will be denied.


Please note, these rates will be updated on July 1, 2025 to reflect the July 1, 2025 Reasonable and Customary chart in the Self-Directed Services Manual.

Support Broker Wages Maximum

The maximum wage exception standard for all counties is $60.46. Any request over this amount will be denied.


Please note, these rates will be updated on July 1, 2025 to reflect the July 1, 2025 Reasonable and Customary chart in the Self-Directed Services Manual.

Is this request for a current employee?*

A current employee is someone who currently works for the participant.

Has the staff already been found*

Please complete one exception form for each employee.

Is this person a relative of the participant?*

Reason(s) for the Wage Exception Request

Please share more information on the reason “lack of available workforce” was selected.


What about the area in which the employer lives makes it more difficult to hire employees?


Please share all strategies and actions used to find employees, including recruitment plans, advertisements, job descriptions, and results.


Please note, the "lack of available workforce" justification should only be requested if the position is not filled by a current employee.

Please share additional information on the reason “intensity of behavioral/health support” was selected.


What specific behavior support needs does the person have? Are those needs documented in the Person-Centered Plan and an approved Behavior Support Plan?


What specific health support needs does the person have? Are those needs documented in the Person-Centered Plan and approved Nursing Care Plan?

Please share the schedule of the employee to show how the schedule/number of hours is uncommon.

Please share why the employee will only be working for the short amount of time.

Please share the employment history this position for the last year and the reasons the employees no longer work for the person.

Please share additional information on the reason the specific certification merits the requested rate.


In the geographical area, what is the rate per hour people with this certification make?


*Note: First Aid, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or any other waiver required certification does not meet the qualifications for a Wage Exception.

Please share additional information on the reason the specific training merits the requested rate.


Why does the person need employees with higher qualifications than required in the Medicaid waiver program?


In the geographical area, what is the rate per hour people with this specialization make?


*Note: First Aid, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or any other waiver required certification does not meet the qualifications for a Wage Exception.

Please share the employment history of the employee that would merit the rate.


To qualify for an exception rate, employment history must include 10 years of direct support professional experience OR 10 years of experience in an interest/goal of the employer (as documented in the PCP).

Please share the employment history of the employee with the employer.


To qualify for an exception rate, the employee must have documented employment for or with the employer for at least 8 years.

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Notice: Lack of Available Workforce Documentation Required

The "lack of available workforce" justification should only be requested if the position is not filled by a current employee.


To show there is a lack of available workforce, the participant must provide the following:


  • Documentation that the job position in question was advertised for the previous 2 weeks; AND
  • Documentation that at least 3 interviews for the position were scheduled with 3 different applicants ; AND
  • Documentation that
  • The interviews were not attended; OR
  • The applicants did not meet the written requirements of the job description; OR
  • The applicant refused to accept the offer within the reasonable and customary range


All Wage Exception Forms that do not include this documentation will be returned to the team for clarification.

Notice: Support Documentation Required

To show that the intensity of support needs warrant a wage exception, the participant must provide the following:


  • Documentation of an HRST score of 4 or higher; AND
  • Documentation of
  • a Behavior Support Plan; OR
  • Nursing Care Plan that documents the support needs


If the requested position is not filled by a current employee, the following is also required:


  • Documentation that the job position in question was advertised for the previous 2 weeks; AND
  • Documentation that at least 3 interviews for the position were scheduled with 3 different applicants ; AND
  • Documentation that
  • The interviews were not attended; OR
  • The applicants did not meet the written requirements of the job description; OR
  • The applicant refused to accept the offer within the reasonable and customary range


All Wage Exception Forms that do not include this documentation will be returned to the team for clarification.

Notice: Hours / Schedule Documentation Required

To show that the hours/schedule warrants a wage exception, the participant must provide all of the following:


  • Documentation of the uncommon hours or schedule for the position


If the requested position is not filled by a current employee, the following is also required:


  • Documentation that the job position in question was advertised for the previous 2 weeks; AND
  • Documentation that at least 3 interviews for the position were scheduled with 3 different applicants ; AND
  • Documentation that
  • The interviews were not attended; OR
  • The applicants did not meet the written requirements of the job description; OR
  • The applicant refused to accept the offer within the reasonable and customary range


All Wage Exception Forms that do not include this documentation will be returned to the team for clarification.

Notice: Short Duration of Employment Documentation Required

To show that short duration of employment warrants a wage exception, the participant must provide all of the following:


  • Written attestation that the employer plans to employ the employee for no more than 30 days    


If the requested position is not filled by a current employee, the following is also required:


  • Documentation that the job position in question was advertised for the previous 2 weeks; AND
  • Documentation that at least 3 interviews for the position were scheduled with 3 different applicants ; AND
  • Documentation that
  • The interviews were not attended; OR
  • The applicants did not meet the written requirements of the job description; OR
  • The applicant refused to accept the offer within the reasonable and customary range


All Wage Exception Forms that do not include this documentation will be returned to the team for clarification.

Notice: High Staff Turnover Documentation Required

To show that a history of high staff turnover warrants a wage exception, the participant must provide all of the following:


  • Documentation that the position has had 3 or more employees in the same position in the past 365 days; AND
  • Documentation that
  • shows each of the employees resigned; OR
  • were terminated with documented cause


All Wage Exception Forms that do not include this documentation will be returned to the team for clarification.

Notice: Staff Certification Documentation Required

To show that a staff certification warrants a wage exception, the participant must provide all of the following:


  • A copy of the certification(s) required for the position; AND
  • Documentation of 2 job advertisements in Maryland, which:
  • Are unrelated to the Self-Directed Services program,
  • Are posted within 365 days of the request, AND
  • Require the certification listed with a pay rate at or above the requested rate.


If the requested position is not filled by a current employee, the following is also required:


  • Documentation that the job position in question was advertised for the previous 2 weeks; AND
  • Documentation that at least 3 interviews for the position were scheduled with 3 different applicants ; AND
  • Documentation that
  • The interviews were not attended; OR
  • The applicants did not meet the written requirements of the job description; OR
  • The applicant refused to accept the offer within the reasonable and customary range


All Wage Exception Forms that do not include this documentation will be returned to the team for clarification.

Notice: Staff Specialization Documentation Required

To show that a staff specialization warrants a wage exception, the participant must provide all of the following:


  • Documentation of the employee’s specialization; AND
  • Documentation of 2 job advertisements in Maryland, which:
  • Are unrelated to the Self-Directed Services program,
  • Are posted within 365 days of the request, AND
  • Require the certification listed with a pay rate at or above the requested rate


If the requested position is not filled by a current employee, the following is also required:


  • Documentation that the job position in question was advertised for the previous 2 weeks; AND
  • Documentation that at least 3 interviews for the position were scheduled with 3 different applicants ; AND
  • Documentation that
  • The interviews were not attended; OR
  • The applicants did not meet the written requirements of the job description; OR
  • The applicant refused to accept the offer within the reasonable and customary range


All Wage Exception Forms that do not include this documentation will be returned to the team for clarification.

Notice: Years of Experience Documentation Required

To show that an employee's experience warrants a wage exception, the participant must provide all of the following:


  • A copy of the employee’s resume OR CV (Curriculum Vitae) that documents at least 10 years of experience directly relevant to the service provided to the participant   


If the requested position is not filled by a current employee, the following is also required:


  • Documentation that the job position in question was advertised for the previous 2 weeks; AND
  • Documentation that at least 3 interviews for the position were scheduled with 3 different applicants ; AND
  • Documentation that
  • The interviews were not attended; OR
  • The applicants did not meet the written requirements of the job description; OR
  • The applicant refused to accept the offer within the reasonable and customary range


All Wage Exception Forms that do not include this documentation will be returned to the team for clarification.

Notice: Longevity Documentation Required

To show that an employee's longevity with the participant warrants a wage exception, the participant must provide all of the following:


  • Documentation that the employee has been employed by or for the employer for a cumulative of at least 8 years shown by:
  • Employment records as obtained by the participant’s Financial Management and Counseling Services Provider, OR
  • Copy of a new hire letter with date, OR
  • Written attestation of employment which involved regular direct contact with the participant while employed by a DDA provider in the Traditional model, OR
  • Written attestation of employment which involved regular direct contact with the participant while employed by a school the participant attended


All Wage Exception Forms that do not include this documentation will be returned to the team for clarification.

Drag and drop files here or

Coordinator of Community Service Attestation

By signing and submitting this Wage Exception Form request, you are attesting that all the contents within the requests are accurate and complete.


Falsification of all or portions of this request is considered Medicaid Fraud and subject to appropriate reporting.

By typing my name below, I attest that the Participant/legal guardian/designated representative has made an informed decision.


Note: Completing this form before the participant/legal guardian/designated representative has made an informed choice is considered falsification of the document.

Does the person have a Support Broker?*

If the person self-directing uses email, include it here.

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