PURPOSE: This rule establishes the standards for maintenance and transportation services provided by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for individuals with disabilities pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and the Code of Federal Regulations.

1. (1) The following maintenance and transportation services as defined in the federal act and/or applicable regulations may be provided to applicants or eligible individuals regardless of financial need:

   1. (A) Maintenance when required to enable the applicant or eligible individual required to leave their domicile and relocate forty-five (45) miles or more to participate in diagnostic evaluation/services; and/or
   2. (B) Transportation when required to enable an applicant or eligible individual to participate in diagnostic evaluation/ services.

2. (2) The following maintenance and transportation services as defined in the federal act and/or applicable regulations may be provided to applicants or eligible individuals based upon financial need. Exceptions may be made if the individual will suffer economic hardship.

   1. (A) Maintenance (noon meals, personal maintenance, placement maintenance, room and board) may be authorized in association with an eligible individual’s Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) when the eligible individual is required to leave their domicile and relocate forty-five (45) miles or more and it is necessary for the eligible individual to receive services.

      1. 1. Maintenance may be paid if the actual time required for

the service is twenty (20) or more hours per week or the actual time required for the service is less than twenty (20) hours per week and the service is not available within the forty-five (45) miles commuting distance of the eligible individual’s home.

1. 2. An eligible individual, considered as either independent

or dependent in the family household, who is required to leave their domicile and relocate forty-five (45) miles or more, may receive two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) maximum per day for lunch. An eligible individual considered as independent in the family household, who is required to leave their domicile and relocate forty-five (45) miles or more, may receive up to an additional fifteen dollars ($15) maximum per week if the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) can establish a strong economic need. Exceptions may be made if the individual will suffer economic hardship under the plan and there are no available financial resources.

1. 3. Personal maintenance, up to ten dollars ($10) per week,

may be authorized for eligible individuals who are considered an independent in the family household and required to leave their domicile and relocate forty-five (45) miles or more.

1. 4. Placement maintenance may be authorized for a period

not to exceed four (4) weeks in association with an IPE for those eligible individuals who are required to leave their domicile and relocate forty-five (45) miles or more. This plan should include an emphasis in specific job seeking activities. Placement maintenance may be authorized for a period not to exceed four (4) weeks if the individual is employed or until the individual receives a paycheck (whichever period is shorter).

1. 5. Room and board during college training, up to the

amount of the dormitory fees at the nearest Missouri tax supported college, may be authorized for those eligible individuals who are required to leave their domicile and relocate forty-five (45) miles or more.

1. 6. Maintenance will not be paid during holiday breaks,

absences, or vacations during the eligible individual’s plan except when failure to pay maintenance would jeopardize the planned services.

1. 7. DVR will not authorize maintenance for correspondence

or tutorial training, or during convalescent care or hospitalization.

1. (B) Transportation may be authorized by DVR in association with an IPE when necessary for the eligible individual to travel to and from the place of primary service. Transportation assistance will be based upon the individual attending the nearest location.

   1. 1. If the eligible individual elects to obtain primary

rehabilitation services at a location not within commuting distance (generally one (1) hour travel time and/or approximately forty-five (45) miles) and the services are available within commuting distance, the eligible individual is responsible for all costs exceeding those authorized by DVR for primary rehabilitation services within commuting distance.

1. 2. An exception may be approved by DVR if the eligible

individual suffers an economic hardship under the plan and there are no other available financial resources.

1. 3. Mileage reimbursement to eligible individuals will be

calculated at thirty percent (30%) of the most current mileage reimbursement rate for state of Missouri employees issued by the Missouri Office of Administration.

1. A. Mileage reimbursement may be authorized under the

following conditions:

1. (I) The eligible individual is unable to travel by

common carrier; or

1. (II) Bus service is not available; or
2. (III) The cost by private transportation is less.
3. 4. Air travel may be provided in instances of significant

impairment necessitating such mode of travel and in instances where the overall cost to DVR would be the most cost effective method.

AUTHORITY: sections 161.092, RSMo Supp. 2002 and 178.600, 178.610 and 178.620, RSMo 2000.* This rule previously filed as 5 CSR 90-5.420. Original rule filed Dec. 17, 1999, effective Aug. 30, 2000. Amended: Filed March 27, 2003, effective Oct. 30, 2003. Moved to 5 CSR 20-500.230, effective Aug. 16, 2011. *Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 2002; 178.600, RSMo 1963; 178.610, RSMo 1963; and 178.620, RSMo 1963.