1. (a)

   1. (1) An individual's economic need is not used to determine eligibility for VR services.
   2. (2) An economic needs assessment is used only to determine if the individual can pay any cost of VR services and if so, how much.

   3. (3) In all cases, no economic needs evaluation will be applied as a condition for furnishing the following VR services:

      1. (A) Assessment of rehabilitation needs, including rehabilitation technology, except for those services other than of a diagnostic nature that are provided under extended evaluation;
      2. (B) Counseling, guidance, and referral services; and
      3. (C) Placement.

2. (b)

   1. (1) In determining an individual’s financial resources, the counselor will identify all resources available to the individual and/or spouse, prior to developing the IPE.
   2. (2) If the individual is a dependent, the resources of the parents will be determined.
   3. (3) If the individual is twenty-three (23) years of age or under and unmarried, the parent’s or parents’ assets must be verified with a copy of the parent’s or parents’ income tax forms.
   4. (4) If the parent or parents do not support the individual, the individual must provide documentation of nonsupport.
   5. (5) If the client’s family states the client will not be claimed on next year’s income tax, the client will no longer be considered a dependent.
   6. (6) The client will be required to verify their source or sources of income to cover their expenses.

3. (c) Exception.

   1. (1) Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income recipients are exempt from financial need.
   2. (2) However, the financial resources form should be completed to assess comparable benefits and gather information for federal reporting.

4. (d) Provision of services conditioned on financial need entails:

   1. (1) Determination of the individual’s financial ability or inability to obtain services, either through individual or other resources; and
   2. (2) Determination of the extent Arkansas Rehabilitation Services will provide these services to the individual lacking sufficient resources.

5. (e)

   1. (1) A need standard in the form of a normal living requirement (NLR) has been established for different family groups and single individuals living alone.

   2. (2) The NLR includes amounts for:

      1. (A) Food;
      2. (B) Shelter;
      3. (C) Clothing;
      4. (D) Household maintenance;
      5. (E) Routine medical care;
      6. (F) Personal care;
      7. (G) Recreation;
      8. (H) Insurance; and
      9. (I) Personal taxes.

Codification Notes: “VR” means vocational rehabilitation.