Okla. Admin. Code § 612:10-7-130
Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024
Section 612:10-7-130 - Maintenance(a)General guidelines. Maintenance means monetary support provided to an individual for expenses, such as food, shelter, and clothing, that are in excess of the normal expenses of the individual and that are necessitated by the individual's participation in an assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs or the individual's receipt of vocational rehabilitation services under an individualized plan for employment. (1) Maintenance is a supportive service provided to assist with the out-of-ordinary or extra expenses to the individual resulting from and needed to support the individual's participation in diagnostic, evaluative, or other substantial services in the IPE. The provision of maintenance as a supportive service is not synonymous with general assistance payments. It is not intended to pay for those living costs that exist irrespective of the individual's status as a DVR and DSBVI client.(2) Maintenance, including payments, may not exceed the cost of documented expenses to the individual resulting from service provision. Authorizations for maintenance will not be issued to pay the cost, or part of the cost, for any other service or expense.(b)Provision of maintenance. To receive maintenance, an individual must be either an eligible DVR or DSBVI client or an applicant for vocational rehabilitation services undergoing diagnostic evaluation and testing. For an accepted client, maintenance must be a supportive service and will be provided in combination, with another VR service listed in the Individualized Plan for Employment. The costs of the maintenance may not exceed the amount of increased expenses that the IPE causes for the individual or his/her family. Maintenance cannot substitute for or supplement income assistance payments. (1)Maintenance for diagnostic and evaluation services. Maintenance payments for individuals receiving diagnostic or evaluation services may be authorized for overnight care, short-term lodging and/or meals.(2)Maintenance for physical restoration services. Maintenance for physical restoration services is paid to the client until he/she is able to work. The client must be in his/her own home and the covered period of convalescence is to be 60 days or less. For convalescent periods in excess of 60 days, the counselor will refer the client to other sources for assistance (public assistance, SSI). In no instance will medical maintenance be paid while the client is hospitalized.(3)Maintenance for training. Maintenance can be authorized for full time vocational school students or college students. Maintenance can be authorized for a client granted an exception to the full-time attendance requirement under 612:10-7-150(a). DRS will not pay for assistance with room and board expenses if there is a state funded vocational school, college or university within 40 miles of the client's official residence. In addition, DRS will only sponsor room and board expenses related to on-campus housing options with the lowest cost. DRS will only sponsor hotel costs associated with pre-vocational or personal and work adjustment training if the total cost of the hotel stay and per diem is less than the total cost of transportation to and from the hotel. Exceptions to this administrative rule may be granted due to issues such as disability requirements. All exceptions must be approved by the Programs Manager and thorough justification must be documented in the case. If DRS is to assist with summer room and board costs or rental assistance for summer semester at any level, there will be a requirement to participate in a minimum of 6 hours. (4)Maintenance for job search services. Maintenance for job search services requires an IPE with major services directed toward the goal of employment.(5)Maintenance for job relocation. Maintenance may be paid to a client for assistance in relocating to a new job site. Maintenance services for this purpose must be identified on the IPE.(c)Clothing expenses. Clothing and/or uniforms can be purchased when needed to begin training or enter employment. Everyday clothing needs of the client are considered as part of the basic living requirements. Any clothing purchased for the client must be: (1) required by the training facility; (2) necessary to participate in job search or begin employment; or(3) necessary to begin a training program that requires clothing standards beyond the client's means.(d)Day care expenses. Day care expenses will be paid for from DVR and DSBVI funds only when necessary to participate in the IPE, and it is fully documented that no other resources are available for this service, including family members and friends.(e)Case Recording.(1) Maintenance payments will be provided and carefully tied to the achievement of specific VR outcomes which must be stated and documented in the case record and the IPE to justify such payments.(2) Documentation as appropriate that justifies room and board expenses off campus related to on-campus housing options with the lowest cost.(3) Documentation that other resources are not available to assist in day care expense, including family and friends. Okla. Admin. Code § 612:10-7-130
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 13 Ok Reg 1739, eff 7-1-96; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 1432, eff 7-1-97; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3738, eff 9-10-97 (emergency); 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 27 Ok Reg 1589, eff 7-1-10Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 32, Issue 23, August 17, 2015, eff. 8/27/2015Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 34, Issue 24, September 1, 2017, eff. 9/11/2017Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 36, Issue 22, August 1, 2019, eff. 8/11/2019Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 37, Issue 24, September 1, 2020, eff. 9/11/2020Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 38, Issue 23, August 16, 2021, eff. 8/26/2021Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/11/2022