[nfbmi-talk] Maintenance Policy from October 2008 commission policymanual

[joe harcz Comcast]

That is why they were effectively, and most illegally implementing a needs 
test in effect...
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <laschuck at juno.com>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 9:00 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Maintenance Policy from October 2008 commission 
policymanual


Hello friends.  Below is what I found about maintenance in the 2008 update 
policy manual.
G. Maintenance in connection with the rendering of any vocational 
rehabilitation service<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = 
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Maintenance is a supportive service of the agency that may be provided to 
cover the food, shelter or other subsistence expenses for an eligible 
individual or an individual undergoing a Trial Work Experience. It may be 
provided only to enable an individual to participate in specific 
rehabilitation services. Maintenance payments may not exceed the amount of 
increased expenses necessitated by participating in the services. It may not 
be provided to raise an individual’s standard of living. Only the following 
expenses will be considered when determining maintenance needs:
1. Rent/mortgage/dormitory fees (based on double occupancy)
2. Food (college plan or, if not appropriate, state rate)
3. Basic telephone charges
4. Utilities, not including cable or satellite television
5. Medical expenses not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance
6. Expenses related to guide dogs not covered by other organizations
7. Incidental expenses of $100 per month
If a student elects to live in a residence other than a dormitory, the 
maximum rate will be that of the room and board based on double occupancy in 
the dormitory at the specific school. The agency will not support the costs 
associated with maintaining two households for an Individual Plan for 
Employment where training lasts more than one year.
Through the Individual Plan for Employment, the counselor/teacher and the 
individual must develop a budget based on a list of actual expenses compared 
to income. It is important to consider all resources including Social 
Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Social Security 
Supplemental Income (SSI) benefits when determining income.
Every student must participate financially in his or her education. College 
students are required to apply for SSI/SSDI or contribute the maximum amount 
according to the Social Security Administration Red Book for the current 
year. If the Social Security application is denied or awarded at less than 
the maximum level because of individual or family income and assets, the 
student will contribute the difference to the maximum Supplemental Security 
Income (SSI) allowable amount for each semester or term attended.
The financial aid award letter must be submitted to MCB a minimum of 30 days 
prior to the start of any term or semester for which the student is seeking 
financial assistance. Failure to submit the award letter will result in 
non-sponsorship for that semester or term. However, letters received after 
this deadline may be considered for determining sponsorship for the 
following semester or term.
This policy was approved by the Michigan Commission for the Blind Board at 
its June 24, 2005, meeting.

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