What Is A Fiscal Intermediary?

A Fiscal Intermediary (FI) is an organization that assists you to implement your Individual Support Agreement and to manage financial accountability and employer responsibilities. Fiscal Intermediaries are not service providers. A Fiscal Intermediary is an administrative and fiscal agent that assists you implementing the funds from your DMR to pay for the services and support you need. An FI is not able to make decisions about the amount or type of services you receive. The FI helps you to manage the supports that have already been identified in your plan and budget.

Your FI will help ensure that funds are well spent and effectively managed.

What Does A Fiscal Intermediary Do?

Fiscal Intermediaries work with the service providers you choose. If you choose to hire your own support workers, your FI will help you to manage the paperwork responsibilities that come with being an employer. The FI will assist you to complete employment forms, pay your staff, ensure tax compliance and prepare end-of-year reports. If you choose a provider agency for your supports, the FI pays the provider on your behalf, according to the budget approved with your Individual Support Agreement. The FI will also pay other vendors for special services that you have in your budget. The FI will give you monthly financial reports to let you know if you are spending what you have budgeted on the items you planned, or if you are spending too much and need to make adjustments to stay within your budget.

How Do I Select A Fiscal Intermediary?

You can choose the FI that you believe will best help you to effectively monitor and manage the resources in your budget. An FI can also be assigned if you do not want to select one. A positive relationship between you and your FI will help ensure that funds are well spent and effectively managed.

Choose the Fiscal Intermediary that is most likely to help you:

  • Have the most choice and control over your supports and services
  • With the level of assistance and support you need
  • Minimize the administrative paperwork burden
  • Follow state and federal tax, labor and Workers Compensation laws and department policies