1. (a)

   1. (1) Maintenance is a supportive vocational rehabilitation service in the form of cash payments which should be made first to a vendor, maintenance payments written directly to clients for basic living expenses such as food, shelter, clothing, or other incidental needs so a consumer may participate in a specific service.
   2. (2) In all cases the most cost effective solution as well as comparable services must be applied.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Maintenance is a support that is provided, if necessary, so that the consumer can:

      1. (A) Derive full benefit of vocational rehabilitation services;
      2. (B) Accomplish the vocational goal; and
      3. (C) Achieve a successful employment outcome.
   2. (2) Progress towards the employment goal must be maintained in order to continue maintenance as a supportive service.
3. (c) The counselor must first exhaust the assistance available through consumer resources and any other comparable services or benefits programs before funding maintenance support.

4. (d) Maintenance for training.

   1. (1) To participate in vocational, prevocational, or college training, the consumer may need maintenance assistance for supplies and room and board in excess of normal living expenses.
   2. (2) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services will provide maintenance assistance in the event the client is moved outside of a fifty-mile radius of his or her existing domicile to participate in an approved training program.
   3. (3) Training programs nearest the client’s primary residence will first be considered for cost effectiveness.
   4. (4) Maintenance is to cover the additional costs incurred in excess of normal living expenses.
   5. (5) Maintenance assistance is temporary and is not meant to cover the cost of the client’s primary living situation.

5. (e) Guidelines.

   1. (1) A consumer living in their own residence (house or apartment) will not receive maintenance for living expenses they would normally incur if they were not involved in a rehabilitation program.
   2. (2) Consumers are to provide the counselor with a copy of the most current rental or lease agreement in order for maintenance payments for the purpose of rent to be authorized.

6. (f)

   1. (1) The counselor must first utilize comparable services/similar benefits, such as community resources and consumer resources before any Arkansas Rehabilitation Services funds can be committed for rental assistance payments.
   2. (2) Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are expected to use those funds for their normal living expenses, but not for payment of VR services.
   3. (3) If an individual receiving Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits is authorized by Arkansas Rehabilitation Services to receive maintenance support, the individual will not be required to contribute the Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance benefits toward the maintenance support.

7. (g)

   1. (1) All maintenance payments will not exceed the cost of subsistence provided in connection with VR services at any time from the date of initiation of services.
   2. (2) After job placement, maintenance may be paid at subsistence level for job retention.

8. (h)

   1. (1) Maintenance payments for rent, mortgage, and room and board will be paid based on Fair Market Rent documentation system by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
   2. (2) Maintenance will be made in accordance with the IPE with a maximum of three (3) months of payment per plan year.

9. (i) College training.

   1. (1) An outside substantial source of support must be documented prior to beginning a college program.

   2. (2) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services may pay college maintenance costs to those individuals eligible provided:

      1. (A) The assessment for vocational needs indicates that college training is the most feasible training option; and
      2. (B) A comprehensive search of similar benefits and alternative funding sources has been completed.
   3. (3) Maintenance services are available at the ACTI.

10. (j) Full-time vocational training. Maintenance may be paid for an individual in:

    1. (1) Business, trade, technical, or other schools;
    2. (2) On-the-job training; and
    3. (3) Apprenticeship training.
11. (k) Placement. After job placement, maintenance may be paid at subsistence level at the counselor discretion.

12. (l) Procedures — Maintenance.

    1. (1) Documentation of the action to be taken with justification for the service will be made in the case note.
    2. (2) Documentation of the method used to calculate the cost of the service will be made in the case note.
    3. (3) Receipts or other documentation verifying the individual received the service will be made in the case note.
    4. (4) Refer to the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services vendor list or secure W-9 from new vendor.
    5. (5) Key required information into the case management system for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services purchase authorization.

    6. (6)

       1. (A) When billing statement is received, verify the individual received the service.
       2. (B) Document in the ECF.

    7. (7)

       1. (A) Key required information into the case management system for payment.
       2. (B) Support staff will be responsible for making payments.
       3. (C) Payment will not be processed without an attached bill from the vendor.
    8. (8) Complete annual review documenting any changes to the IPE.
    9. (9) Update the RS16 Financial Resources Form at annual review.

Codification Notes: “ACTI” means Arkansas Career Training Institute. "ECF" means electronic case file. "IPE" means individualized plan for employment. "VR" means vocational rehabilitation.