Subpart 1.
Scope.
Comparable services and benefits that would contribute
toward and not interfere with an eligible individual's vocational
rehabilitation must be used if available to an eligible individual or members
of an eligible individual's family for all rehabilitation services identified
in the eligible individual's IPE except:
A. diagnostic assessment for determining
eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs;
B. vocational rehabilitation counseling
including information and support services to assist an individual in
exercising informed choice;
C.
referral services;
D.
rehabilitation technology;
E.
job-related services; or
F.
postemployment services consisting of the services identified in this subpart.
Comparable benefits do not include awards and scholarships
based on merit.
Subp.
2.
Eligible individual responsibilities.
An
eligible individual must, with the assistance of the eligible individual's
vocational rehabilitation counselor, participate in the search for and use of
comparable services and benefits as follows:
A. Before receiving physical and mental
restoration services other than nonprescription low vision aids, an eligible
individual must file a claim or application for coverage with the eligible
individual's health insurer, if any. If the eligible individual has no health
insurance or if the physical and mental restoration services provided are not
covered by the eligible individual's health insurance, the eligible individual
must apply to a local human services agency for medical assistance under
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256B.
B. Before receiving any rehabilitation
service other than those identified in subpart
1,
items A to F, an eligible individual must apply or provide evidence of having
already applied for any state or federal assistance program for which the
eligible individual's vocational rehabilitation counselor determines the
eligible individual may be eligible.
C. Before receiving vocational training
services in an institution of higher learning, an eligible individual must
apply for educational grants to cover the costs of tuition, supplies, and
living expenses.
D. If comparable
services and benefits exist under any other program, but are not available to
the eligible individual at the time needed to ensure the progress of the
individual toward achieving the employment outcome in the individual's IPE, SSB
must provide vocational rehabilitation services until those comparable services
and benefits become available.
Subp.
3.
Relation to financial need eligibility.
The
extent to which comparable services and benefits are available to an eligible
individual must be determined before determining the degree of financial
participation required of the eligible individual under part
3325.0440.
