DHS 78.04(2)
(2) Processing tap applications. The department shall process applications for TAP services in the following manner:
DHS 78.04(2)(b)
(b) The department shall review applications in the order they are received to determine whether the application is complete and includes all required attachments.
DHS 78.04(2)(c)
(c) When the department finds an application to be complete, the TAP manager shall date and sign the application.
DHS 78.04(2)(d)
(d) The department shall send the applicant written notification of the department's decision on his or her application within 30 calendar days after the department determines the application complete.
DHS 78.04(2)(e)
(e) If the department denies assistance to the applicant, the applicant may reapply if, due to a change in conditions, the applicant meets eligibility requirements under
s. DHS 78.05.
DHS 78.04(2)(f)
(f) Except as provided under
par. (g), if the department approves issuing a TAP voucher to the applicant, the applicant shall apply the voucher to the $100 co-payment requirement of the telecommunications equipment purchase program administered by the public service commission for all eligible applicants.
DHS 78.04 History
History: CR 03-001: cr.
Register July 2003 No. 571, eff. 8-1-03.
DHS 78.05
DHS 78.05
Eligibility requirements. An applicant shall meet the following requirements to be eligible for TAP assistance:
DHS 78.05(1)
(1) Certification of hearing loss. The applicant shall be certified as deaf, deafblind or severely hard of hearing by a licensed physician, an audiologist who is certified by the American speech and hearing association or a coordinator of deaf and hard of hearing services who is employed by the department's division of disability and elder services.
DHS 78.05(2)
(2) Residency. An applicant shall be either a Wisconsin resident or a tax dependent of a Wisconsin resident.
DHS 78.05(3)(a)(a) The Wisconsin adjusted gross income of the applicant's family as reported for Wisconsin income tax purposes for the most recent annual tax reporting period shall be equal to or less than 200% of the poverty line established under
42 USC 9902 (2) as updated annually or more often by the secretary of the U.S. department of health and human services.
DHS 78.05(3)(b)
(b) If an applicant is claimed as a dependent for income tax purposes, the adjusted gross income of the person or persons claiming the applicant as a dependent shall be listed on the application form and shall be used to determine income eligibility.
DHS 78.05(4)
(4) Telephone service. The applicant shall have telephone service at home, except that if the applicant does not have telephone service in the home at the time of application for TAP assistance, the applicant shall submit a copy of the telephone service installation bill before the department issues a voucher to the applicant.
DHS 78.05(5)
(5) Residents in nursing homes or institutions. An applicant living in a nursing home or institution may be considered for TAP assistance only if the applicant has personal telephone service. In this subsection, "personal telephone service" means that the telephone is located in the applicant's assigned bedroom and the telephone is registered on behalf and for the use of the applicant.
DHS 78.05(6)
(6) Persons eligible for or receiving services from the department of workforce development. A person eligible for or receiving services from the department of workforce development's division of vocational rehabilitation shall first be evaluated by that division to determine if the person is eligible for a telecommunication device under the vocational rehabilitation program, and if denied, may apply for assistance from TAP.
DHS 78.05 History
History: CR 03-001: cr.
Register July 2003 No. 571, eff. 8-1-03.
DHS 78.06
DHS 78.06
TAP assistance restrictions. The following restrictions apply to the provision of TAP assistance:
DHS 78.06(1)
(1) Eligible applicants shall be granted TAP assistance on a first-come, first-served basis subject to availability of funds.
DHS 78.06(2)
(2) Any person who is deaf, deafblind or severely hard of hearing and shares a household with other persons who are deaf, deafblind or severely hard of hearing may be a recipient of TAP assistance.
DHS 78.06(3)
(3) A recipient of TAP assistance may not reapply for assistance more often than once every 3 years.
DHS 78.06 History
History: CR 03-001: cr.
Register July 2003 No. 571, eff. 8-1-03.
DHS 78.07
DHS 78.07
Purchase and care of telecommunication devices. DHS 78.07(1)(1)
Purchase of devices. If the department approves the issuance of a TAP voucher to an eligible applicant, the voucher may not exceed $100.
DHS 78.07(2)(a)(a) The recipient may purchase only a device that is warranted by the manufacturer or distributor for a period of not less than one year.
DHS 78.07(2)(b)
(b) Recipients shall maintain the device when the warranty expires.
DHS 78.07(2)(c)
(c) Recipients shall purchase batteries, paper for the printer, and other general supplies necessary for operation of the device.
DHS 78.07(3)
(3) Ownership of devices. Any telecommunication device purchased through TAP shall be the property of the recipient.
DHS 78.07 History
History: CR 03-001: cr.
Register July 2003 No. 571, eff. 8-1-03.
