Sec 36-596.56. Eligibility; program plans; burial arrangements

A. A person who is eligible for services pursuant to section 36-559 is also eligible to receive services under this article if that person is recommended to receive services under the individual program plan. A person shall also meet any applicable eligibility requirements or guidelines in order to receive family support services funded in whole or in part with federal monies.

B. The division shall review the plan to determine if the person is eligible for services and if monies are available. This review shall take place at the district level.

C. To be eligible for services, a family shall:

1. Express and demonstrate a willingness to keep the family member with a disability at home or in the community.

2. Agree to cooperate with the providers of services in developing, implementing and evaluating the family support services that are part of the individual program plan.

3. Demonstrate a need for services.

4. Undergo an evaluation by the division of the family's financial resources, including monies from other state and federal programs that are available to the family.

5. Comply with other factors the division determines are necessary for eligibility.

D. An annual individual program plan team shall determine what services shall be provided to an individual with a developmental disability or a family on behalf of a family member with a developmental disability and which shall be specified in the plan itself. The case manager shall coordinate the plan. The plan shall include the following:

1. A finding of the family's need for services and an indication of the family's strengths and resources that the plan may supplement or support to meet the family's needs.

2. Notice of the specific programs, subsidies and services for which the family is eligible.

3. A clear explanation of the way in which the programs, subsidies and services shall be provided.

4. A statement of the specific goals of the plan and the methods to be used to achieve these goals.

5. A timetable for achieving goals.

6. Notice of the annual determination of continued eligibility and of reportable events that will trigger an earlier eligibility determination.

E. To ensure continued eligibility, a family shall promptly report any changes in the family, the need for services, income and all other circumstances that relate to eligibility.

F. The individual program plan team shall annually review the eligibility of each family or individual in the family support program. The plan shall be distributed to the team not more than twenty days after the annual review meeting. This review shall include:

1. An eligibility review of the needs of the family or the individual.

2. A report prepared by the family and the case manager on whether the needs and goals of the individual program plan are being met.

3. A report of the circumstances that might trigger an earlier review of eligibility.

4. A review of the family's financial resources.

G. A family may request a review described in subsection F of this section at any time.

H. The client's individual program plan shall include provisions relating to the client's burial arrangements, including a choice of cremation or burial and instructions regarding religious services, if any. Monies set aside for this purpose are not excluded from the income eligibility requirements of section 36-2934 and title XIX of the social security act. Monies set aside for this purpose shall be excluded or counted as a resource for eligibility purposes in accordance with section 1613 of the social security act. The costs of burial under this subsection are not the financial responsibility of this state.