The OIDD wage floor is now $9.27.

Starting October 1, 2026, direct support workers (DSWs) providing services under Louisiana’s OIDD waivers — NOW, ROW, Supports Waiver, and Children’s Choice — must be paid at least $9.27 per hour, up from $9.00. This applies regardless of hire date. The OAAS floor for LT-PCS, CCW, and ADHC stays at $9.00.

01Changed vs. not changed

• Changed

  OIDD hourly wage floor (NOW, ROW, Supports Waiver, Children’s Choice DSWs)

  $9.00→to$9.27
• Not changed

  OAAS hourly wage floor (LT-PCS, CCW, ADHC)

  $9.00→to$9.00
• Changed

  LT-PCS / CCW reimbursement, per 15-minute unit

  $4.63→to$4.77
• Changed

  OIDD reimbursement rates

  Prior rates→toAbout 3% higher
• Not changed

  New pass-through on the 2026 increase

  —→toNone required
• Not changed

  LT-PCS pass-through from 2022 increase

  $3.15 / billed hour→to$3.15 / billed hour
• Not changed

  CCW pass-through from 2022 increase

  $3.85 / billed hour→to$3.85 / billed hour

The LT-PCS / CCW unit figure: $4.63 × 1.03 = $4.7689, rounded to $4.77. The ADHC transportation rate is addressed in a separate letter.

02Three numbers, three meanings

03The 2022 pass-through still applies

The existing requirement to pass through 70% of the 2022 rate increase remains permanent. That is 70% of that increase — not 70% of the entire current reimbursement. It must go to workers as wages or approved benefits.

LT-PCS

$3.15 / billed hour

CCW

$3.85 / billed hour

04Who is covered

• DSWs providing NOW, ROW, Supports Waiver, or Children’s Choice services (OIDD $9.27 floor).
• Full-time, part-time, and contracted workers alike.
• Every covered worker, regardless of hire date — not only new hires.
• LT-PCS, CCW, and ADHC work under OAAS remains subject to the $9.00 floor.

05Illustrative examples

For a covered OIDD worker, on or after October 1, 2026:

1. $9.00→becomesat least $9.27

   Below the new floor. Pay must rise to at least $9.27 per hour.

2. $9.15→becomesat least $9.27

   Above the old floor but below the new one. Pay must rise to at least $9.27.

3. $10.00→becomesAlready above floor

   The floor alone does not require a raise — and it does not authorize lowering a contractual or agreed wage.

06Agency checklist

1. 01Identify every DSW billed under NOW, ROW, Supports Waiver, or Children’s Choice — full-time, part-time, and contractors, regardless of hire date.
2. 02Flag anyone paid below $9.27 per hour and schedule the adjustment for pay periods covering work on or after October 1, 2026.
3. 03Leave OAAS-only staff (LT-PCS, CCW, ADHC) at the $9.00 floor check — that floor did not change.
4. 04Update LT-PCS and CCW billing to $4.77 per 15-minute unit for dates of service on or after October 1, 2026.
5. 05Keep tracking the 2022 pass-through: $3.15 per billed LT-PCS hour and $3.85 per billed CCW hour, paid as wages or approved benefits.
6. 06Do not tell staff they are getting an automatic 3% raise. The rate increase goes to the agency; only the floor is a wage mandate.
7. 07Watch for the separate letter on the ADHC transportation rate.
8. 08Confirm each worker’s applicable service and the official LDH guidance before finalizing payroll.

07Sources

Based on the supplied one-pager, which cites:

• OAAS-P-26-039 (October 9, 2026)
• LDH HCBS rate notice (August 20, 2026)
• LAC 50:XV.12923
• LAC 50:XXI.9503
• LAC 50:XXI.16903
• Personal Care Services (PCS) Manual, Appendix E

This page is an educational summary and has not been independently verified against the cited documents. It is not legal or payroll advice. Confirm each worker’s applicable service and the official LDH guidance before making payroll decisions.