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Comparable Services and Benefits

Contact: Angela Fujan
Created: 01/10/2022
Date Emailed to Staff: 01/21/2022
Effective Date:

Summary of Changes

Separated out client contribution information from the Comparable Services chapter, as client contribution is not considered a comparable service or benefit. 

Provided guidance for the exploration of comparable services and benefits to include what to consider at a minimum and provided a list of additional comparable services and benefits in the Background & Training section of the chapter update. 

Reformatted chapter, linked relevant VRIS chapters and documented federal regulations pertaining to the provision of services:

Added:

 Rule 72 003.04 The requirement to determine the availability of comparable services and benefit does not apply if this would interrupt or delay –

•  The provision of vocational rehabilitation services to any individual who is determined to be at extreme medical risk, based on medical evidence provided by an appropriate qualified medical professional.
• An immediate job placement; or
• The progress of the individual for more than thirty (30) days toward achieving the employment outcome identified in the individualized plan for employment;

Community resource list under Background and training section

Reporting requirements: Nebraska VR is required to report all services provided to individuals during the life of their service record whether provided by the VR agency or others as comparable services or benefits. This includes –

• The specific comparable service or benefit provided; and
• The provider type of the comparable service or benefit

Forms - New or Revised

Deleting Purchase of Goods and Services form, as we have created a new chapter with this information titled, “Authorizing Case Services.”  Due to this format change, the information on how to authorize (least cost option, cost estimates, client contribution, informed choice, Rule 72 exceptions, client accountability and documentation were all moved to this new chapter. 

VRIS Posting

https://webforms.nebraska.gov/program_manual_chapters/706

Monitoring Requirements

Case reviews

Training Dates

January 18th 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. or January 20th 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.