Virginia Law

A. DBVI has elected to uniformly apply a financial needs assessment for persons receiving purchased rehabilitation teaching and independent living services and goods in the Commonwealth. Purchased services and goods may be provided at no cost to the recipient who is a blind person if the family's income is less than 80% of the federally estimated median income for Virginia, and if the family's assets are less than 50% of the federally estimated median income as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Family Support Administration. DBVI shall review and change its financial participation levels to match the estimated median income level annually.

B. There shall be no financial participation in cost of services required for the assessment, counseling, low vision exams, information and referral, and instructional services provided through the rehabilitation teaching and independent living program.

C. Allowable deductions from income.

1. Expenses that may be deducted from family income on the financial needs assessment are unusual medical expenses and the education of the individual or family member to attend a private or public educational facility. Medical expenses, including routine doctors' visits and hospital insurance premiums, may not be deducted.

2. When the individual's gross family income, liquid assets, or both, exceed the financial need requirement after allowable deductions have been considered, the individual and his family are required to apply the excess toward the cost of those services provided by rehabilitation teaching and independent living services for which financial need is considered.