Section 12-14-40 - Allowable living expensesThe provider shall assist an employee entitled to living expenses under section 386-25, HRS, on a form prescribed by the director, to submit a request for payment of living expenses associated with the program or period of extended evaluation to the employer at least seven days before the beginning of the scheduled period. Upon request, the form shall be submitted by the provider to the director. A flexible and appropriate vocational rehabilitation period shall be determined by the provider, employee, and director for each employee based on that individual employee's needs. Allowable expenses include:
(1) The cost of books, tuition, supplies, and other items required by the program.(2) The cost of riding public transportation round trip to and from the employee's residence to the rehabilitation site and to any other destination required and authorized by the provider. This mode of travel is to be used in all cases unless the employee's physical condition, nature of the injury, or geographical location requires the use of a private motor vehicle as the mode of travel.(3) Transportation cost for the use of a private motor vehicle, not to exceed the prevailing rate paid per mile to authorized state government employees on official business, as determined by the director, to travel round trip from the employee's residence directly to the rehabilitation site, and to any other destination required and authorized by the provider.(4) Per diem cost covering meals and lodging for each day an employee attends rehabilitation at a site located outside the island on which the employee resides, not to exceed the per diem allowance paid to state government employees on official business, as determined by the director.(5) Transportation cost at the beginning and completion of the rehabilitation, to travel round trip from the employee's residence to the rehabilitation site located outside the island on which the employee resides, not to exceed the prevailing airfare and busfare rates, and for the use of a private motor vehicle, the rate established in paragraph (3).[Eff. 1/1/81; am 9/16/85; am 4/12/93; am 11/08/99] (Auth: HRS § 386-72) (Imp: HRS § 386-25)