Next Generation Claim System

The Circuit Breaker office introduced a new claim system beginning with FY25 claims. This upgrade provides an online platform for districts to claim expenses for reimbursement through the Circuit Breaker program and will replace use of an Excel-based claim file. The overall goal is to make it easier for public school districts to be reimbursed for high-cost special education expenses through the Commonwealth's special education circuit breaker program.

Log into the online claim system through the CHAMP portal.

Login credentials are provided only to individuals approved by a school district to access their claims. Those seeking access should work with their Special Education Director and Directory Administrator(s) to be assigned the appropriate function ("Circuit Breaker Claim Contact") within DESE School Profiles.

Questions and Answers

• Question and Answer document with helpful information about the new claim system (updated February 13, 2025)

Training Modules

Circuit Breaker claim training has gone online! Several training modules are available, each covering a distinct topic. We encourage claim system users to go through the modules in order. Chapter references are available to assist in finding specific scenarios that may be of interest.

• Complete list of available training modules (updated February 14, 2025)

Seeking Support

• Fill out the online user support form . Expect a response within 1 business day.

• Contact the Circuit Breaker liaison assigned to your district

Tools and Additional Information

• Crosswalk of legacy circuit breaker codes to FY25 codes (legacy 5-digit circuit breaker codes mapped to standard 8-digit codes for in-state approved programs, out-of-state approved programs, and collaboratives)

• Pricing tool: in-district special education services calculator for FY25

• Find payment information: Mass Finance VendorWeb

• Learn about approved Special Education Pricing at Commonwealth's Operational Services Division (OSD)

Access to the Online Claim System (see Question and Answer document for more information):

• View district resources specified as "Circuit Breaker Claim Contact" users within DESE School Profiles

• To be added as a "Circuit Breaker Claim Contact" user, work with the district's Special Education Director and the district's Directory Administrator

Access to the Special Education File Exchange for supporting documentation:

• Instructions for access to the Special Education File Exchange dropbox (Security Portal)
• District Resources with Access to DESE Security Portal

Claiming Guideline Documents:

• Guidelines for Claiming Additional Services

• Coming soon: Guidelines for Claiming Transportation and Transportation-Related Services

Apply for Price Authorizations (required for claiming some services):

• Apply for an Individual Student Program (ISP) through PRS: Notification of intent to seek approval for Individual Student Program (ISP) and request for pricing authorization

• Apply for an Individual Price Authorization (IPA) for one-to-one services through OSD: Individual Price Authorization (IPA) requests for services over $20 per hour

Communications

• Memo: Users of New Online Circuit Breaker Claim System (December 10, 2024)

• Memo: Update to In-District Services for Circuit Breaker Claiming (November 15, 2024)

• Memo: Update to Circuit Breaker Program Codes for Approved Programs and Collaboratives (August 29, 2024)

• Memo: Update to Tuition Invoice Elements beginning FY2025 (August 29, 2024)

Last Updated: February 18, 2025