DHS 78.03 (4) “Public service commission” or “PSC” means the Wisconsin public service commission of Wisconsin.
DHS 78.03 (5) “TAP manager” means the department’s staff member responsible for developing and implementing TAP overseeing the Telecommunication Assistance Program.
DHS 78.03 (6) “Telecommunication assistance program” or “TAP” means a financial assistance program created by s. 46.297, Stats., for the purpose of making distance communications and telecommunication devices available to individuals who are deaf, deafblind and severely hard of hearing persons who do not have the means to afford these devices. DHS 78.03 (7) “Telecommunication device” or “device” means any technology needed by a an individual who is deaf, deafblind or severely hard of hearing person to facilitate his or her the individual’s use of a telephone distance communications.
DHS 78.03 (8) “Telecommunication Equipment Purchase Program” or “TEPP” means the financial assistance program under s. 196.218, Stats., and administered by the public service commission of Wisconsin under s. PSC 160.071 to provide financial assistance to customers with a disability who have special needs certification in the purchase of equipment needed to personally access and use essential services of the telecommunications network. SECTION 2. Subsection DHS 78.03 (10) is created to read:
DHS 78.03 (10) “Distance Communications” means an exchange of information between two different locations via transmission facilities using any part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
SECTION 3. Paragraphs DHS 78.04 (1) (a), (b), (b) (Note), and (2) (Intro), (2) (b) through (f) are amended to read:
DHS 78.04 (1) (a) A completed PSC TEPP application form; and
(b) A completed department signed certification of hearing loss form or an audiogram from a certified audiologist.
Note: The Department TAP Program uses the PSC TEPP application form, Telecommunication Equipment Purchase Program Application. Both the TEPP application form and the Department certification of hearing loss form, Hearing Loss Certification, may be requested from the TAP Manager, Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Division of Disability and Elder Services, P.O. Box 7851, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7851. The forms are also available for downloading at: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/odhh/TAP/index.htm. Upon completing the Telecommunication Equipment Purchase Program Application, applicants should send or fax the form to the address or fax number given on the form. Upon completing the hearing loss certification form, applicants should send or fax the form to the TAP Manager at the address given above. Instructions on how to apply for the TAP program and all necessary forms can be found online at: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/odhh/TAP/index.htm.
DHS 78.04 (2) Processing tap applications. The department shall process TAP applications for TAP services in the following manner:
DHS 78.04 (2) (b) The department shall review applications in the order they are received to determine whether the application is complete and includes all required attachments.
(c) When the department finds an application to be complete, the TAP manager shall date and sign the application.
(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. once all documentation is received.
(e) If the department denies assistance to the applicant, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision under subch. III, of ch.227, Stats., by filing a written request with the department, or may reapply if, due to a change in conditions, the applicant meets eligibility requirements under s. DHS 78.05. (f) Except as provided under par. (g), if 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 purchase of approved telecommunications devices.
SECTION 4. Subsections DHS 78.05 (1) and (3) (a) are amended to read:
DHS 78.05 (1) Certification of hearing loss. The applicant shall be certified as deaf, deafblind or severely hard of hearing by a licensed physician, medical professional or 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 (3) (a) The Wisconsin adjusted gross income of the applicant’s family household 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. SECTION 5. Subsections DHS 78.05 (4) and (5) are repealed.
SECTION 6. Subsections DHS 78.05 (7) is created to read:
DHS 78.05 (7) Preference will be given to individuals who are not receiving telecommunication devices from another state program.
SECTION 7. Subsection DHS 78.06 (2) is repealed.
SECTION 8. Subsection DHS 78.06 (3) is amended to read:
DHS 78.06 (3) A recipient of TAP assistance may not reapply for assistance more often than once every 3 years unless there is a significant or functional change in disability that requires different or other telecommunication devices.
SECTION 9. Subsections DHS 78.07 (1) is amended to read:
DHS 78.07 (1) Purchase of devices. If the department approves the issuance of a TAP voucher to an eligible applicant, the voucher may not exceed $100 only be used for department approved telecommunication devices.
SECTION 10. Subsections DHS 78.07 (2) (c) is repealed.
SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule shall take effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin administrative register, as provided in s. 227.22 (2), Stats.
