(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 Subsections DHS 78.05 (4) and (5) are repealed.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 Subsection DHS 78.06 (2) is repealed.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.
