Chapter DHS 78

DHS 78.04(1) (1) Application form and hearing loss documentation. To apply for assistance from TAP, the applicant shall submit to the department a completed application form and any of the following:

DHS 78.04(1)(a) (a) A signed certification of hearing loss form.

DHS 78.04(1)(b) (b) An audiogram from a certified audiologist.

DHS 78.04(1)(c) (c) Documentation of hearing tests conducted pursuant to ch. HAS 4, by a hearing instrument specialist, within 6 months of the date of the application, and that demonstrate the applicant’s need for hearing instruments.

DHS 78.04 Note Note: 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) (2) Processing tap applications. The department shall process TAP applications in the following manner:

DHS 78.04(2)(a) (a) The department shall accept an application at any time except as provided in s. DHS 78.06 (3).

DHS 78.04(2)(b) (b) The department shall review applications in the order they are received.

DHS 78.04(2)(d) (d) The department shall send the applicant written notification of the department’s decision on his or her application once all documentation is received.

DHS 78.04(2)(e) (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.

DHS 78.04(2)(f) (f) If the department approves issuing a TAP voucher to the applicant, the applicant shall apply the voucher to the purchase of approved telecommunications devices.

DHS 78.04(2)(g) (g) A voucher recipient under s. PSC 160.071 (1m) (b) 1. who is not required to make a copayment under s. PSC 160.071 (1m) (c) is not eligible for a TAP voucher.

DHS 78.04 History History: CR 03-001: cr. Register July 2003 No. 571, eff. 8-1-03; corrections in (2) (g) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register February 2017 No. 734; CR 17-006: r. and recr. (1), am. (2) (intro.), (b), r. (2) (c), am. (2) (d) to (f), Register February 2018 No. 746 eff. 3-1-18.

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, a hearing instrument specialist, or an audiologist who is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association.

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) (3) Income eligibility.

DHS 78.05(3)(a) (a) The Wisconsin adjusted gross income of the applicant’s 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.

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(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(7) (7) Preference will be given to individuals who are not receiving telecommunication devices from another state program.

DHS 78.05 History History: CR 03-001: cr. Register July 2003 No. 571, eff. 8-1-03; CR 17-006: am. (1), (3) (a), r. (4), (5), cr. (7), Register February 2018 No. 746 eff. 3-1-18.

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(3) (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.

DHS 78.06 History History: CR 03-001: cr. Register July 2003 No. 571, eff. 8-1-03; CR 17-006: r. (2), am. (3) Register February 2018 No. 746 eff. 3-1-18.

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 only be used for department-approved telecommunication devices.

DHS 78.07(2) (2) Warranty and maintenance of devices.

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(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; CR 17-006: am. (1), r. (2) (c) Register February 2018 No. 746 eff. 3-1-18.