Support Brokerage

Brokers help you arrange services via Self-Direction

Make the most of your budget

If you choose to manage your services via Self-Direction, you don’t need to do it all by yourself. A broker will act as your liaison with the Fiscal Intermediary department.

Who is eligible?

Participants must meet these criteria to apply for this service via Hamaspik of Kings County.

  • Live in NYC or Nassau County
  • Have an OPWDD diagnosis
  • Opted to receive services via Self-Direction
  • Age 3+ (NYC)
    Age 8+ (Nassau County)

Our Hamaspik brokers will:

  • Guide you in allocating your budget so you get the support you need
  • Alleviate some of the paperwork burden, submitting invoices and documentation
  • Help you find resources and local community classes that are a good fit for your needs

Agency broker:

My job is very much about supporting the client, and I often work with the individuals themselves. I really enjoy that! People sign up and they jump right in — we need to help them learn to swim. There’s a lot of hand-holding until the budget is up and running smoothly. 

We try to help our clients utilize the funding well. It’s such a waste if they’re directing funding to services that they don’t end up using. I’m always discussing with them, “How could we change things around, and utilize it differently so that you get more of the programs you most enjoy?”

Our goal is to allow our clients to make their own choices, develop skills and independence, and help them integrate into the community. Community classes are a great way to achieve these goals, and the options are endless! We’ve had clients sign up for music lessons, baking, art, dancing, and more!

The heart behind the service

Chaya Ringel

Department Director
Director of Fiscal Intermediary Services

“People call us to request the broker who services their friend, and say, 'I heard she’s amazing!'
The nicest part — I hear this all the time.”

Joel Lefkowitz

Department Director
Director of OPWDD-HCBS Services

Interested in
Support Brokerage?

When approved for OPWDD, you can choose to receive services
via Self-Direction, where you manage the budget. Once you
qualify for the Self-Direction program, you’ll be able to choose
a broker to create your budget and get it approved.

Ask our intake team about Hamspik’s dedicated brokers.

Siblings of children with special needs have special needs too!

Dr. Sora Yaraslowitz offers wise guidance on dealing with the emotional and practical challenges many sibs face. It’s advice you'll refer to time and again.

Thank you!

Please check your emails to find your Guide to Raising Special Siblings
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