Persons eligible for LIFE Program services will be those who are 55 years of age or older and must be classified in one of the following categories:

• total blindness
• legal blindness
• visually impaired

Any permanent visual condition resulting in total loss of vision.

Any visual condition resulting in:

• a visual acuity for distance vision in the best eye with the best correction of 20/200 or less, or
• the widest diameter of visual field subtending an angle of less than 20 degrees.

A progressive visual condition with a visual acuity of 20/50 in the best eye after correction, which may result in total or legal blindness, or there is imminent danger that the individual may become totally or legally blind as documented by a physician who is skilled in diseases of the eye.

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The primary purpose of determining eligibility is to identify those individuals with visual disabilities who may be served with LIFE funds. The intent is to empower the individual to maximize their independence in the home and community.

The Rehabilitation Teacher has the responsibility for determining an individual’s eligibility for LIFE Program services. This responsibility cannot be delegated.

NOTE: For Rehabilitation Teacher’s within their first six months of employment, each Certificate of Eligibility (DSB-8003) must be reviewed and approved by the supervisor.

The individual’s vision loss must constitute a substantial barrier to independent living and there must be reasonable expectation that services provided would enable the program participant to function more independently.

Eligibility determinations for LIFE services must be made within 60 days after the consumer has applied for LIFE services. Exceptions can only occur if the consumer is notified that exceptional and unforeseen circumstances beyond the agency's control prevent making a determination within the prescribed time (60 days) and the consumer agrees that the extension of time is necessary. Document that the consumer has agreed in a contact report and by placing a copy of a letter signed by the consumer in the record of services.

There is not a residency requirement, however, an individual must be physically located within the state and be available for services. Individuals who miss three consecutive scheduled appointments jeopardize services and may result in case closure.

Older individuals who are in residential care facilities are eligible to receive all LIFE Program services if all other eligibility criteria are met.

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The LIFE Program is specially designed to serve older blind and visually impaired Arkansans, therefore, a lower age limit of 55 years of age has been established. No upper age limit may be established that will, in and of itself, result in finding ineligible any individual who is otherwise eligible.

To determine the presence of a visual disability and resulting limitations, there must be:

• a visual report from an ophthalmologist or optometrist diagnosing a visual impairment as defined on page 1 of this section, and
• functional imitations evident by observation and assessment by a LIFE Program Rehabilitation Teacher, medical or psychological diagnosis, or other source.

Functional limitations are limitations imposed by a visual disability that impedes or limits an individual’s ability in an area of physical or mental functioning.

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Rehabilitation Teacher judgement is a critical factor in all issues of eligibility, particularly in determining the diagnostics necessary to determine eligibility and the resources for those diagnostics.

There may be situations when a Rehabilitation Teacher is unable to obtain a current visual report because of the consumer’s health or circumstances. If the Rehabilitation Teacher can document a history of blindness or an old eye report verifies the visual loss is progressive or permanent, consumer can be determined eligible based on Rehabilitation Teacher observation and historical records.

Functional limitations may be substantiated by medical or psychological reports, but are primarily documented by the Rehabilitation Teacher through a functional skills assessment.

Skill categories which need to be assessed include, but are not limited to the following:

• orientation and mobility
• medical management
• self-care management
• communication
• time management
• meal preparation
• laundry
• leisure time activities
• homemaking skills

At any time a secondary disability is suggested by the consumer, an outside source, or suspected by the Rehabilitation Teacher, it should be explored to the extent necessary to determine functional limitations.

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Individuals who are LIFE clients and express a desire for employment should be assessed by the Rehabilitation Teacher for possible referral to the Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

The Rehabilitation Teacher should determine if the consumer’s need(s) could be met by LIFE Program services.

If it is determined that VR assistance is required, the Rehabilitation Teacher should complete a Referral Form (DSB-8065) and forward it to the appropriate VR Counselor for possible services

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It is the responsibility of the Rehabilitation Teacher to complete the form.

After required documentation has been gathered and eligibility determined, the Certificate of Eligibility will be completed upon entrance into Status 02 (Service Delivery).

NOTE: The date on the Certificate of Eligibility, DSB-8018 (Client Statistical Record), and case narrative should match.

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An individual who has applied for services from this agency may not be eligible for LIFE services. The Rehabilitation Teacher must document in the case service record that eligibility criteria are not met in order to show ineligibility. An applicant’s case service record may not be closed prior to making an eligibility determination unless circumstances are evident which prevent this decision.

When a consumer has been determined ineligible to receive services from the LIFE Program, the case needs to be moved to Status 08 (Closed Ineligible/Not Accepted). The applicant will be informed in writing of this decision and will be asked to sign a closure document that states the reason for closure. The Rehabilitation Teacher will inform the consumer of his/her right to appeal the decision. The consumer will once again be given the Client Information Form which gives the details of CAP services. The closing narrative dictated by the Rehabilitation Teacher will document all of the actions taken.

If the consumer has died, or the Rehabilitation Teacher is unable to locate the consumer, the Rehabilitation Teacher should make notation of this on the closure document and in the closing narrative. The date on the closure form, DSB-8018 (Client Statistical Record), and closing narrative should match.

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