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 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 necessary for the eligible individual to receive services.

      1. 1. Maintenance may be paid if the actu-

al 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 commuting distance of the eligible individual’s home.

1. 2. An eligible individual, considered as

either independent or dependent in the family household within commuting distance (approximately forty-five (45) miles), may receive two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) maximum per day for lunch. An eligible individual considered as independent in the family household 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 dol-

lars ($10) per week, may be authorized for eligible individuals who are considered an independent in the family household and required to live away from home. Eligible individuals considered family dependent or eligible individuals remaining in the household within commuting distance will not qualify for personal maintenance.

1. 4. Placement maintenance may be

authorized for a period not to exceed four (4) weeks in association with an IPE. 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 train-

ing, up to the amount of the dormitory fees at the nearest Missouri tax supported college, may be authorized if an eligible individual lives beyond commuting distance.

1. 6. Noon meals will not be paid during

holiday breaks, absences, or vacations during the eligible individual’s plan except when an individual lives away from the family household to receive services or 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 transporta-

tion is less.

1. 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, 178.600, 178.610 and 178.620, RSMo 1994.* Original rule filed Dec. 17, 1999, effective Aug. 30, 2000. *Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973; 178.600, RSMo 1963; 178.610, RSMo 1963; and 178.620, RSMo 1963.