1. (a) The purpose of the table of basic living requirements (BLR) is to establish a framework for determining whether the consumer should pay any of the service cost. DRS does not consider BLR in determining eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services, but DRS does apply BLR to determine whether the consumer must contribute to the cost of certain services. DRS applies BLR uniformly to ensure that all consumers in similar circumstances receive equitable treatment.

2. (b) All services are subject to required consumer participation except for the following:

   1. (1) services paid for, or reimbursed by, a source other than DRS;
   2. (2) counseling, guidance, and referral provided by DARS;
   3. (3) assessment services, to determine eligibility and rehabilitation needs;
   4. (4) interpreter services;
   5. (5) reader services;
   6. (6) translator services;
   7. (7) personal assistant services; and/or
   8. (8) job-related services: job placement, services leading to supported employment, and job coach services.
3. (c) Consumers who are recipients of Social Security disability benefits, either SSI or SSDI, are not required to participate in the cost of services.
4. (d) The counselor informs each consumer of the services that require consumer participation in the cost of services and the services that do not require consumer participation.
5. (e) If a consumer declines to provide financial information to determine BLR, it is assumed that the consumer has resources that exceed the BLR and therefore must fully participate in the cost of planned services.

Source Note:The provisions of this §856.60 adopted to be effective December 10, 2012, 37 TexReg 9651; duplicated effective September 1, 2016, as published in the Texas Register September 2, 2016, 41 TexReg 6773.