SECTION 612:10-7-131. Transportation

  Transportation, including adequate training in the use of public transportation vehicles and systems, may be provided for a client as a service to enable the client to receive diagnosis, evaluation or other rehabilitation services. Authorizations for transportation will not be issued to pay the cost, or part of the cost, for any other service.

(1)   Public transportation. The authorization is made directly to the vendor or client for actual cost.

(2)   Private transportation. Mileage for use of a private vehicle is paid at 50% of the rate allowed by the State Travel Reimbursement Act and is authorized directly to the client. In these instances, mileage will be restricted to the most direct route and to the least possible number of trips. Case narrative documentation is required explaining how the amount was determined.

(3)   Vehicle Repairs. Vehicle repairs will only be provided if there is a clearly defined need to enable the client to participate in vocational rehabilitation. Maintaining and repairing a private vehicle is primarily the responsibility of the owner. Assistance with vehicle repair is intended for emergency situations where services have been initiated under the IPE and participation in the IPE cannot continue without the repair. The cost of vehicle repairs will not exceed $1,000.00 for the life of the case unless approved by the appropriate program manager.

(4)   Out-of-state/air transportation. Transportation by airplane or out of state travel may be provided to allow a client to receive services not available in the state. Transportation may also be provided for a client to seek employment out of state provided the counselor has written documentation that the significance of the disability, or the nature of the vocational objective, makes in-state placement unusually difficult.

(5)   Transportation for an attendant. Transportation may also include the cost of travel for an attendant of an individual with a significant disability. Subsistence will be paid at the rates established by the State and described in OAC 340:2-1. The counselor will have an agreement with the client regarding allowable expenses before the trip is made.

(6)   Training for use of public transportation. When expertise is not available within the agency or community to provide effective training in use of public transit, the service may be purchased, with authorization made directly to the vendor or client for actual cost.

[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4633, eff 9-1-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2449, eff 7-1-94; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 1432, eff 7-1-97; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2904, eff 7-1-98; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1711, eff 4-13-99 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2590, eff 7-1-99; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 1975, eff 7-1-06; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 1687, eff 7-1-08; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 1690, eff 7-1-09; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1589, eff 7-1-10; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 1832, eff 7-1-11]