Why does the PCH/APA envelope stop when you choose the human approach? The enormous disparity that penalizes the beneficiary.
Imagine the surprise of the dependent or disabled person, or their representative, upon receiving the notification of their aid plan. For the exact same need, the same intensity of vital support, the public funding figures are radically different. There is a head-on shock, revealing a structural injustice:
Provider Mode (Agency Model): The Department funds approximately €24.58/h (the rate), paid to the organization. This sum guarantees the agency can cover all costs: care worker’s salary, charges, administrative management fees, commercial margin, and especially the guarantee of replacement and coordination.
Direct Employment Mode (Gré à Gré): The rate funded for the salary alone is capped between €12 and €17/h.
The Revolting Disparity for the Beneficiary: The glaring gap (approximately €7 to €12/h) is an admission that the Department recognizes the need for management, but refuses to fund it as soon as the beneficiary opts for the more flexible gré à gré (direct employment) model. The person receiving aid is granted a complete envelope if they choose an agency, but only receives the salary envelope in direct employment. The question that leads to revolt is: “How is it that for the same level of dependency, the State deprives me of administrative assistance and a coordination service if I choose to directly employ my care worker?” This injustice directly translates into less security, more hassle, and potentially fewer actual hours of funded aid for an essential need.
The Solution to Restore Equity: The intervention of an Autonomy Coordinator (Self-employed Administrative Assistance Professional) is the professional answer to this deficiency. We propose that the Department recognize and fund this indispensable administrative aid. By funding a reasonable coordination package, which is added to the revalued salary, the Department ensures the same level of service for an overall cost that remains below the agency’s €24.58/h. The Department saves money, and the beneficiary gains serenity and autonomy.