Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services Funding (RYPAS)

The SILC supports the improvement package submitted by the Division of Rehabilitation Services for a $200,000 continuing increase, at minimum, to the funding for the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services (RYPAS) Program.

The waiting list for the program continues to grow and funding should be increased at least to a level which will serve those individuals to ensure current recipients and those on the waiting list have adequate services to remain in their own homes rather than moving into nursing home care. The SILC strongly supports any increase in funding for RYPAS however the $200,000 increase would eliminate less than half of the waiting list. There are currently 26 individuals on the waiting list for this program. To serve these individuals would require about an additional $430,000.

An increase in funding for this program is essential to maintain the independence of recipients and secure the independence of those on the waiting list, which continues to grow. Currently, individuals from the waiting list are only moved onto the program when a current recipient dies or experiences a change in their living situation that eliminates their need for services.

Why are Personal Assistance Services (PAS) Essential?

RYPAS provides funding for people with disabilities to hire personal assistants to help with their personal care and other daily activities of independent living. Recipients of RYPAS are people with severe disabilities who are in need of support and assistance to enable them live in their own homes and communities instead of nursing homes or other restrictive, segregated settings. These services can include, but are not limited to assistance with bathing, cooking, dressing, and housekeeping.

There are currently 24 recipients on the RYPAS program who use an average of 53 hours per week of PAS at an average cost of $16,518 per year as compared to over $40,000 per year for nursing home care.

Characteristics of the RYPAS Program:

The person with a disability is the employer of their personal assistant(s) and has the employer responsibilities of hiring, training, supervising, scheduling, paying, terminating (if necessary) their assistant(s), and managing all the employer tax responsibilities.
Eligibility is based on functional need rather than on a medical diagnosis.
Individuals are eligible for RYPAS only if they are not receiving personal assistance services from a Medicaid program.
A sliding fee schedule was established in order for people with disabilities to contribute to the cost of services based on their ability to do so.

For more information contact Ann Watts McDaniel, WV Statewide Independent Living Council 304-766-4624 (office) or 304-617-1417 (cell) or email: ann.meadows@wvsilc.org.