Chapter IX-R

Personal Assistance Services (PAS)

POLICIES

1. Personal Assistance Services (PAS) means a range of services of a non-medical nature, provided by one or more persons, designed to assist an individual with a severe disability with daily living activities (on/ or off the job site), which the individual would ordinarily perform if the individual did not have a disability. (Federal Regulation 34 CFR 361.5(34)).
2. Personal Assistance Services (PAS) is not a stand-alone service and may be provided only then necessary for the individual to access other Vocational Rehabilitation services (Federal Regulation 34 CFR 361.5(34)).
3. Personal Assistance Services (PAS) shall not be authorized while the case is in referral status (00).
4. An applicant may receive Personal Assistance Services (PAS) needed to access diagnostic services to determine eligibility (and assign priority category if DVH is on an order of selection).
5. An individual may receive Personal Assistance Services (PAS) needed to access vocational rehabilitation services under a written plan for extended evaluation services.
6. An individual certified eligible for the vocational rehabilitation program may be eligible for Personal Assistance Services for (PAS) if those services are needed for the individual to participate in developing the IWRP;, other participate in VR training;, and, to achieve an employment outcome.
7. At a minimum, an IWRP for PAS services must also include vocational counseling and guidance.
8. If the case is in Status 24, services interrupted, the counselor must terminate the PAS service for the period of absence. The counselor can refer the individual to the state funded PAS program (managed by DRS) for interim PAS services; however, this program maintains waiting lists and serves individuals on a priority basis.
9. PAS services, except when needed to access DVH diagnostic and evaluation services, are subject to consumer financial participation policy. PAS assessment is exempt from consumer financial participation policy (Federal Regulation 34 CFR 361.54).

PROCEDURES

Assessments:

The DVH counselor will write an authorization for the PAS assessment using DRS DRS as the vendor. The authorization will be sent to the Personal Assistance Services PAS Coordinator at the DRS central office. The PAS Coordinator will make arrangements for the assessment with an approved PAS provider the Center for Independent Living in the customer's home area. Once the assessment has been completed, a report will be sent to the PAS Coordinator who will calculate the number of hours the customer is eligible to receive. That information will be forwarded to the field counselor and recommendations will be discussed with the counselor.

Services:

If the assessment recommends PAS and if the counselor agrees to fund the services, the service will be entered on the Individual Plan for Employment (IPE). DRS will be identified as the vendor on the IPE. The authorization for the PAS will be sent to the PAS Coordinator at the DRS central office.

Payment Process:

The PAS provider (personal assistant) will bill DRS for the service. Payment will be made quarterly to DRS via an Interagency Transfer (IAT) for the services authorized. The PAS coordinator will forward reports from the PAS provider to the DBVI counselor. The DBVI field counselor may request to review time sheets submitted by personal assistants if needed for case files.

Case Closure:

The DBVI counselor must notify the PAS coordinator 90- days prior to case closure. The notification will be sent in writing or via e-mail. If PAS services will continue to be required, the DBVI counselor has the responsibility to research other PAS options, such as the State- funded PAS program. Transfer

Comparable Benefits:

The DBVI counselor must consider and document comparable benefits for PAS before authorizing services. Comparable benefits must also be pursued at any point they become available after the initiation of the PAS. State funded PAS are not comparable benefits;; those funds are also limited, and may not be available after closure from VR. Comparable benefits to be considered throughout the life of the VR case include, but are not limited to, Medicaid Waiver services such as the Elderly and Disabled Waiver and the Consumer-Directed Waiver, Companion Services provided through the Department of Social Services, Veterans Benefits, or other community- based options.