364.59—May an individual's ability to pay be considered in determining his or her participation in the costs of IL services?
(a) No Federal requirement or prohibition.
(1)
A State is neither required to allow nor prohibited from allowing service providers to charge consumers for the cost of IL services.
(2)
If a State allows service providers to charge consumers for the cost of IL services, a State is neither required to allow nor prohibited from allowing service providers to consider the ability of individual consumers to pay for the cost of IL services in determining how much a particular consumer must contribute to the costs of a particular IL service.
(b) State plan requirements.
If a State chooses to allow service providers to charge consumers for the cost of IL services or if a State chooses to allow service providers to consider the ability of individual consumers to pay for the cost of IL services, the State plan must—
(1)
Specify the types of IL services for which costs may be charged and for which a financial need test may be applied; and
(2)
Assure that any consideration of financial need is applied uniformly so that all individuals who are eligible for IL services are treated equally.
(c) Financial need.
Consistent with paragraph (b) of this section, a service provider may choose to charge consumers for the cost of IL services or may choose to consider the financial need of an individual who is eligible for IL services.
(1)
It shall maintain written policies covering the specific types of IL services for which a financial need test will be applied; and
(2)
It shall document the individual's participation in the cost of any IL services, including the individual's financial need.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0527)