10.0 Financial Participation
Table of Contents
Reference:
34 CFR§ 361.47
34 CFR§ 361.53
34 CFR§ 361.54
Effective:
April 01, 2023
Revised:
Approved: 
Date: 04/01/2023__
Duane G. Mayes, Director
Policy
1.0 Summary
The Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (ADVR) will consider the financial resources of the individual to determine the extent of their financial participation in the costs of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services delivered under an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
this policy applies uniformly to all individuals and assures that the level of an individuals participation in the cost of VR services is not so high as to effectively deny the individual a necessary service. All individuals are encouraged to participate in the cost of their rehabilitation services if reasonably possible.
The VR Counselor shall conduct a determination of the individual's economic need prior to the preparation and approval of an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). Payment for most services or goods for individuals, other than individuals who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for their own disability, is based upon the economic need of the individual.
While some financial information is reported by individuals at time of application (for purposes of required federal reporting which has no bearing on Eligibility), Financial participation must be determined prior to the development of the IPE.
This shared financial participation represents ADVRs and the individuals mutual commitment to the success of the individuals employment outcome and participation in the VR process and enables ADVR to maximize its resources, and thus, the number of individuals served.
Exceeding the financial needs threshold does not disqualify an individual from receiving financial assistance from ADVR. The types of services and the extent of the individuals responsibility for the cost of the services is discussed as part of choosing services for the IPE and is clearly identified on the IPE.
The Financial Participation Assessment Certification (FPAC) is generally completed at the time an IPE is being developed. The FPAC is reviewed annually or whenever there are any significant changes to financial resources as long as the individual remains in service with ADVR. (The individual must inform ADVR of any significant changes to financial resources in order to ensure that the FPAC remains accurate.)
Financial resources such as projected gross income and liquid assets of the family unit/household shall be considered on the FPAC. Documentation of income or liquid assets may be required, including but not limited to a copy of a current tax return, W2 forms, pay stubs, unemployment award letter, documentation of Veterans Cash Benefits, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and Student Aid Report (SAR) or University Financial Aid Award Letter. ADVR will strictly observe the confidentiality of all financial information obtained from the individual and/or family members.
DVR is a supplementary funder of post-secondary education and does not have sufficient funding to provide full scholarships to students with disabilities. According to federal VR regulations, training, and related services in institutions of post-secondary education for eligible individuals under an IPE will be purchased only after the individual has completed the application process for financial aid through the institution's financial aid office and has applied for other grants and scholarships for which the individual might qualify. Application for financial assistance must be made annually.
The Agency shall not provide financial assistance for any item covered in the cost of attendance if the individual (or individual's family as applicable) fails to apply for or refuses to accept federal, state, institutional and other grants, need based scholarships, or tuition waivers for which they may be eligible.
Financial support for college or vocational training shall be consistent with the agency's policy of purchasing the service that meets the individual's vocational rehabilitation needs at least cost to DVR. This means that if a training program is available that meets the individual's vocational rehabilitation needs at a lesser cost to DVR than the program selected by the individual, DVR's support shall not exceed the less costly training program. Post-secondary education service is subject to DVR's financial participation assessment.
DVR shall not replace the expected family contribution, as determined by the post-secondary institution, using the federal Student Aid Report, in contributing toward the individual's cost of attendance at a post-secondary institution. DVR's assistance with the cost of attendance, combined with other financial resources, shall not exceed the cost of attending the least costly training institution that meets the student's vocational rehabilitation need. The FPAC also takes into consideration the size of the family/household, area of the state lived in, disability-related expenses, and court-ordered payments such as child support.
1.1 Participation and Exemptions
Individuals who receive SSI/SSDI due to their own disability are, by federal regulation, exempt from financial participation in the provision of VR services. This excludes individuals receiving SSDI family benefits, survivor benefits, or Social Security Administration (SSA) retirement benefits because they have not been determined to have a disability by Social Security Administration.
For individuals receiving SSI/SSDI and exempt from financial participation, an FPAC is still required (but does not need to be filled out in completion) in order to document that the individual meets the criteria for exemption. Documentation of SSI/SSDI is required.
If an individual or individuals family/household declines to complete an FPAC or elects not to participate financially despite the indication of available resources on the FPAC, the individual is eligible to receive only those services exempt from consideration for financial participation, unless the cost will be covered by a comparable benefit.
Services Exempt from Financial Participation Requirements
There are some services which do not require the financial participation of the individual. The following services are exempt from a financial needs assessment, and do not require the financial participation of the individual:
- Pre-Employment Transitions Services
- Assessment for determining eligibility, priority for services except those non-assessment services that are provided to an individual with a significant disability during either an exploration of the individuals abilities, capabilities and capacity to perform in work situation through the use of trial work experiences
- Assessment for determining vocational rehabilitation needs
- VR Counseling and Guidance
- Referral and other services necessary to assist applicants and eligible individuals to secure needed services from other agencies, including other components of the statewide workforce development system
- Job-related services including job search and placement assistance, job retention services, follow-up services, and on-the-job supports
- Personal assistance services designed to assist an individual with a disability to perform daily living activities. The services must be necessary to the achievement of an employment outcome
- Auxiliary aids or service (e.g., interpreter services, including sign language and oral interpreter service, for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and tactile interpreting services for individuals who are deaf-blind, provided by qualified personnel for deaf, reader services for blind or personal assistance services) that an individual with disability requires in order to participate in the VR program
- Disability skills training
- On-the-job training
- Support services such as maintenance and transportation when required to participate in assessment services prior to IPE development
Services Subject to Financial Participation Requirements
services which may be provided as part of an individuals rehabilitation process are available only after an FPAC has been completed. If the FPAC indicates available resources, the individual is required to contribute financially to the cost of those services. Those services include:
- All training (except on-the-job training)
- Training or training services at an institution of higher education (universities, colleges, community or junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, or hospital schools of nursing or any other postsecondary education institution) requires that maximum efforts are made by both ADVR and the individual to secure grant assistance in whole, or in part, from other sources to pay for the training
- Maintenance (except when required in support of assessment services)
- Transportation (except when required in support of assessment services)
- Books and training supplies
- Tools, equipment (including computers), and supplies
- Behavioral health treatment
- Medical services
- Initial stock and supplies for self-employment
- Assistive Technology services (including home and vehicle modification)
- Medical care for an acute condition
- Services to family members
- Licenses (business, occupational, and professional)
- Any other goods or services
Comparable Benefits
When an individual is determined eligible for VR services, federal regulations state that prior to providing any VR service, ADVR must determine whether comparable services and benefits exist under any other program, and whether those services and benefits are available to the individual. When comparable services and benefits are available, these resources must be used for planned services before using VR funds. Individuals must agree to apply for, and maintain eligibility for, other comparable benefits.
2.0 Definitions
For the purpose of this Policy, the following definitions apply:
Comparable Services and Benefits: Services and benefits, including accommodations and auxiliary aids and services, that are provided or paid for, in whole or in part, by other Federal, State, or local public agencies, by health insurance, or by employee benefits; available to the individual at the time needed to ensure the progress of the individual toward achieving the employment outcome in the individuals IPE; and commensurate to the services that the individual would otherwise receive from ADVR.
For the purposes of this definition, comparable services and benefits do not include awards and scholarships based on merit, unless such scholarships or awards are intended for tuition at an institution of higher education.
Basic Living Requirement (BLR): The amount of financial resources required for the family/household to afford adequate shelter, food, and goods as needed for daily living. ADVR uses measures set by the US Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines to assist in determining BLR.
Disability-Related Expenses: Any expense related to the individuals disability that assists them in increasing and/or maintaining their health, independence and/or quality of life.
Household/Family Size: The individual participating in VR services, household members who are dependents, and household members who contribute financially to the daily living expenses of the individual and household. Examples include children, spouses, domestic partners, and parents or guardians.
Financial Resources: Income, and liquid assets such as savings, stocks, money market/mutual funds, Permanent Fund Dividend (except that of a minor child under the age of 18, unless the minor is the individual receiving VR services), and other assets, of the individual and household.
3.0 Exceptions
Any exception to Policy must be approved by the Chief of Rehabilitation Services or their designee.
