SECTION 612:10-3-3. Client participation in services cost and financial status determination

(a)   DVR and DSBVI require the client to participate in the cost of some vocational rehabilitation services if the client and/or client's family income exceeds the established basic living requirement for the applicable family size. Any client who has been determined eligible for Social Security benefits under Title II or XVI of the Social Security Act is exempt from client participation in service costs.

(b)   Before an individual can be provided services other than those listed in DRS policy, the counselor must evaluate the client's financial situation to determine if the client must participate in the cost of services, and if so, the amount of such participation. Any client whose available family income exceeds the applicable basic living requirements is required to apply the monthly surplus to the cost of services during each 30 day period services are provided. DVR and DSBVI funds will not be used to purchase services based on client's financial status when there is any refusal on client's behalf to participate in the cost of services. However, the client can be provided services not based on financial status. Any client who does not have a surplus is not required to participate in the cost of services. Financial status does not exempt the client from required use of comparable benefits. If a payment is required of the client, it will be made to the vendor.

(c)   The counselor will re-evaluate the client's financial situation at least annually and any time there is a change in the financial situation of the client or family. The amount of client participation in cost is based upon the most recent determination of client's financial status at the time the IPE or amendment is written, and is stated in the IPE or amendment.

(d)   The client's financial status must be verified when an IPE includes services which require client participation in cost of services. Information used to verify the client's financial status includes such documents as income tax returns, bank statements, pay stubs, canceled checks, payment receipts, and/or payroll documents. It is the client's responsibility to provide the documents needed for verification of financial status information for the family. If the client refuses to provide the requested verification, DVR and DSBVI resources will not be used to defray the cost of services which require client participation in cost of services.

[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4633, eff 9-1-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2449, eff 7-1-94; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 1817, eff 4-3-96 (emergency); Amended at 14 Ok Reg 1432, eff 7-1-97; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2904, eff 7-1-98; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 4165, eff 7-29-98 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1711, eff 4-13-99 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2590, eff 7-1-99; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 1832, eff 7-1-11; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 1278, eff 8-27-15; Amended at 34 Ok Reg 1994, eff 9-11-17; Amended at 37 Ok Reg 2135, eff 9-11-20]