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MAINTENANCE

Defined as monetary support provided for those expenses such as food, shelter and clothing, that are in excess of the normal expenses of the individual, and that are necessitated by the individual's participation in an assessment for determining eligibility and VR needs or the individual’s receipt of VR services under an IPE.

  • Maintenance may be a one time payment or may be set up as regular monthly payments for a specified time period.
  • The amount of maintenance must be justified based on the individual's specific circumstances. The maximum amount may not automatically be provided unless justified by the individual’s need.
  • Clients receiving SSA benefits or other support intended for subsistence can receive maintenance only when maintenance requirements are increased because of the individual’s participation in a VR plan.
  • At the time of application/initial interview, counselors should determine how the applicant is meeting subsistence needs. Those without a means of support should immediately be referred and assisted as needed to apply for available subsistence help.
  • Counselors shall clearly document the lack of subsistence support and the ineligibility for support from other sources, and monitor changes that may impact future availability.

    Examples of maintenance expenses include, but are not limited to:
    a) the cost of a uniform or other suitable clothing required for an individual's job placement or job seeking activities;
    b) the cost of short-term expenses, such as food and shelter, that are required in order for an individual to participate in assessment activities or vocational training at a site that is not within commuting distance of an individual's home;
    c) the initial one-time costs, such as security deposits or charges for the initiation of utilities, that are required in order for an individual to relocate for a job placement; and
    d) the costs of an individual's participation in enrichment activities related to that individual's training program.

    700 Maintenance Services
    Examples:
    Dorm costs
    Haircuts (for interviews, jobs)
    Interview clothes
    Living expenses during plan
    Maintenance
    Rent deposits
    Room/board while at school
    Utility deposit/payment
    Work clothes
    Enrichment activities while in school, such as: club dues (degree related) while in school; field trips (extra cost); honor society dues.

    750 Emergency food/shelter for eligible individuals
    It is possible to provide short-term emergency financial assistance to eligible individuals who are homeless or deinstitutionalized when it is necessary for the individual to achieve an employment outcome. Beyond the emergency situation, however, RSA guidance indicates that welfare and other social service agencies are better equipped to support the everyday living expenses of the homeless or deinstitutionalized. [Reference: Regulatory guidance, Page 6313, Federal Register, February 11, 1997 and 361.48(a)(20)]


    RELATED INFORMATION FOR MAINTENANCE

  • Support services provided ONLY in conjunction with other core VR services.
  • The Counselor's spending authority (cost cap) for basic subsistence is no more than $450 per month. See Section 3 / Part 8 for additional information.
  • Other allowable maintenance services are not subject to this cost cap.

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