1. (a) Purpose. The independent living program status serves to:

   1. (1) Identify veterans who are being furnished a program of independent living services by VA; and
   2. (2) Assure that such veterans receive necessary services from VA in a timely manner.

2. (b) Assignment to independent living program status. A veteran may be assigned or reassigned to independent living program status under the provisions of § 21.88, § 21.94, or § 21.96.

   (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

3. (c) Continuation in independent living program status. A veteran will be in independent living program status during periods in which:

   1. (1) The provisions of § 21.282 for induction into a program are met, but the veteran is pending induction into the facility at which rehabilitation services will be provided;
   2. (2) The veteran receives rehabilitation services prescribed in an IILP; or

   3. (3) The veteran is on authorized leave of absence status.

      (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3109, 3120)

4. (d) Termination of independent living program status. When a veteran's case has been assigned to independent living program status, the case will be terminated from that status, if one of the following occurs:

   1. (1) A veteran, who has been notified of necessary arrangements to begin a program, the date the program begins and instructions as to the next steps to be taken:

      1. (i) Fails to report and does not respond to followup contact by the case manager;
      2. (ii) Declines or refuses to enter the program; or
      3. (iii) Defers entry for more than 30 days beyond the scheduled beginning date, unless the deferment is due to illness or other sufficient reason.
   2. (2) The veteran completes the IILP;
   3. (3) Either the veteran or VA interrupts the program;
   4. (4) Either the veteran or VA discontinues the program; or

   5. (5) Service-connection for the veteran's service-connected disability is severed by VA or he or she otherwise ceases to be eligible.

      (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3109, 3110)

      Cross References: See §§ 21.160 Independent living services, 21.282 Effective date of induction into a rehabilitation program, 21.322 Commencing date, and 21.324 Reduction or termination date.

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 84 FR 193, Jan. 18, 2019]