Maryland DDA Wage Cut Map — Concerned Citizens of Self-Direction Maryland

The Impact So Far

Cut #1 refers to reductions enacted in Maryland's FY2026 budget (2025 legislative session), in effect since July 2025. Cut #2 refers to reductions enacted in Maryland's FY2027 budget (2026 legislative session), scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026, pending CMS approval.

submissions

Maryland counties reporting

~30%

avg. reduction in weekly DSP pay under Cut #2

4.3M

hours of care potentially lost, combined both fiscal years

Extrapolated Statewide Impact

Scaled to approximately 4,000 self-directed participants statewide.

Cut #1 — FY2026

$69,906,909/yr

Cut #2 — FY2027

$264,228,571/yr

Both cuts combined

$334,135,480

Care potentially lost

4.3 million hours

These are community-reported projections, not DDA administrative data — based on the first 92 submissions across 17 Maryland counties. Each cut's statewide figure is calculated by taking the average dollar loss per person who reported that specific cut, then multiplying by ~4,000 self-directed participants statewide. "Combined" is simply Cut #1 + Cut #2 added together — it is not a single year's impact, since each cut covers its own separate 12-month fiscal year.

For comparison: the U.S. cost of living rose 3.4% over the same 12 months (national CPI-U) — Maryland has no single statewide CPI, so each county's card uses the Baltimore-area or DC-area regional CPI that actually covers it.

County data

Hover over a county to see its numbers.

Uncategorized submissions

What the Map Shows

Each county is colored according to the average wage cut reported by participants and care teams in that county.

Click on a county to see its reported data.

The numbers come directly from CCSDSMD's Estimator — not from DDA.

As more participants submit information, the map and county report cards update.

Why This Matters

Self-directed services give Marylanders with developmental disabilities control over who provides their care and how their supports are managed.

For many participants, DSPs provide essential help with daily living, personal care, transportation, employment, medical appointments and community participation.

When DSP wages are cut, DSPs leave. When they leave, participants may not be able to find someone else to provide the care they need.

Maryland already faces a serious DSP workforce shortage. These cuts are being imposed on a system that is already struggling to recruit and retain the people needed to keep participants safely at home.

A wage cut can become a care cut.

This Is Community-Reported Data

CCSDSMD built the Estimator because statewide averages don't show what is happening to individual participants and families.

Participants enter their actual staffing and wage information. Those submissions are aggregated to show the impact across Maryland.

The data is preliminary and growing.

The map is a snapshot of what participants are reporting right now.

What We're Asking

Governor Moore: Pause the $64.7 million state-side cut and work with the community on a sustainable solution.
The State: Provide direct resources and support to help families and DSPs stay afloat during this crisis.
CMS: Reject the harmful portions of Community Pathways Waiver Amendment #4.
The Legislature: Review this data now and use the 2027 session to make responsible, lasting changes that address DDA's systemic problems and create a sustainable path forward.

THE COMMUNITY WARNED. NOW THE DATA IS SHOWING WHY.