Section 90. Participation by blind individuals and blind multihandicapped in the cost of independent living serv

Part V. Financial Participation

A. An economic needs test will be utilized to determine the extent of client participation in the cost of independent living services. Services exempt from consideration for financial participation will be diagnostic and evaluation, counseling, guidance and referral, and interpreter services for the deaf.

B. Groups exempt are:

1. Recipients of General Relief;

2. Recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children by the client or family in which the client is dependent;

3. Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI); and

4. Recipients of Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).

C. The department will make an assessment of similar benefits available to pay for independent living rehabilitation services. The department will not pay program costs which could otherwise be provided by similar benefits unless it is documented that the delay in securing such benefits would be detrimental to the Independent Living Rehabilitation Program.

D. Financial eligibility will be based on the following:

1. Gross income. A uniform income level will be used for all independent living clients. An annual review of the income levels stated below will be made and updated as needed.

The income eligibility is based on 80% of the federal estimated median income in Virginia, which is published annually in the Federal Register. The median income levels will be reviewed on an annual basis and updated as appropriate. The chart below reflects the gross income level and liquid assets exceptions for financial eligibility as applied to the Independent Living Program.

[NORMAL LIVING REQUIREMENTS]
Family Unit	Monthly Income	Annual Income
1	$1,313.00	$15,760.00
2	1,717.00	20,609.00
3	2,122.00	25,459.00
4	2,526.00	30,308.00
5	2,929.00	35,157.00
6	3,334.00	40,007.00
7	3,410.00	40,916.00
8	3,485.00	41,825.00

Add $300 per month for each additional person in the family, if more than eight.

2. Income for real property. Real property will not be considered for financial eligibility, but income from such property is to be considered as part of the client's income.

3. Liquid assets. Will be applied toward the cost of services when the liquid assets exceed the amount established for financial eligibility.

Exemptions for Liquid Assets
Number in Family	Amount
1	$10,000.00
2	11,200.00
3	12,400.00
4	13,600.00
5	14,800.00
6	16,000.00
7	17,200.00
8	17,400.00

4. Allowable deduction.

a. Unusual medical costs. The only deductions that will be considered will be unusual medical expenses which are not of a routine nature and for which the costs will not be covered by comparable services and benefits. Medical conditions that are not considered routine are those which are acute or traumatic and which place an additional burden upon the family income and resources. Those routine medical expenses that could not be deferred would include routine doctors' visits and hospital insurance premiums.

b. Tuition costs for client or family member to attend a private or public educational facility.

When the client's gross income, liquid assets, or both exceed the financial eligibility requirement after allowable deductions have been considered, the client and his family will have to apply the excess toward the cost of those services provided by independent living for which there is financial need considered.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR670-03-4 § 5.1, eff. August 3, 1988; amended, Volume 06, Issue 11, eff. March 28, 1990.

Statutory Authority

§§ 51.5-23 and 51.5-65 of the Code of Virginia.