32 Miss. Code. R. 22-3.2.5.2
Home modification is the application of assistive technology to the residence of a client to remove barriers that prevent the client from reaching his/her specified goal. The desired goal(s) should be clearly stated on the referral for AT evaluation and consistent with the clients vocational or independence goal.
MDRS will not provide home modifications to a residence that is structurally unsound or in such disrepair that to not have repairs prior to providing the modification would compromise the safety and effectiveness of the modification.
Title to Property - Prior to referring an individual to the AT program for a home modification evaluation, the counselor must determine property ownership of the residence to be modified. Rental or mortgaged property and/or property owned by someone other than the client may be considered for modification by MDRS for non-permanent modifications that can be moved to another location should the client move. It is necessary to secure written permission from the titleholder prior to modifying any property. This includes property:
* Owned by other parties
* Mortgaged
* Rented
* Otherwise encumbered that could impede client's use
* Owned by the client or the client and others
NOTE: Counselors should make a determination that the cost of any home modification is commensurate with the value of the home.
Home Additions - At no time will MDRS pay for modifications that add to the total square footage of the home. Total square footage refers to that area that is originally heated and cooled. MDRS may, however, pay for accessibility modifications to home additions that have been paid for by the client that are a component part of the original roofline.
MDRS DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOMES OTHER THAN IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY.
Home Repair/Maintenance - MDRS does not pay for home repairs or general maintenance of homes.
Changes to Specifications - If it is necessary to make changes to the specifications, these changes must be made in writing with the approval of the AT professional who formulated the specifications. The AT professional, the client, the counselor, and the contractor must then sign these changes before they will be accepted. The counselor is not responsible for payment of additions to the specifications unless this procedure has been followed. The counselor should notify the client and the contractor that MDRS is not responsible for payment of additions to the specifications unless this procedure has been followed.
32 Miss. Code. R. 22-3.2.5.2