Sec.17-606a-5. Application process

(a) All persons with disabilities, needing assistive technology, shall be eligible to apply for a loan under this program. Individuals whose gross annual income exceeds 100 percent of the median family income in Connecticut, as determined by the Commissioner on July 1 of each year, shall be required to apply for and be denied loans through other financial institutions, including banks, prior to initiation of a loan application under this program.

(b) Applications for loans shall be initiated through peer counselors designated by the Department, knowledgeable in the identification of appropriate assistive technology and resources, including this loan fund, in independent living centers or similar organizations which are located strategically across the state.

(1) Assistive Technology Plan

All completed applications for loan funds shall be based on an Individual Assistive Technology Plan jointly developed by the applicant and peer counselor. Evidence of the following shall be included in such plans:

(A) verification of an individual's disability through a descriptive narrative or other means;

(B) substantiation of the need for assistive technology;

(C) assistance in the identification of appropriate assistive devices and reputable vendors which can provide such equipment;

(D) identification of alternative avenues of funding to acquire the needed technology; and

(E) provisions for orientation and training after receipt of the assistive technology.

(2) Application Completion

Subsequent to the development of an Assistive Technology Plan, a formal loan application shall be completed. The peer counselors shall provide financial counseling services for prospective borrowers to ascertain the appropriate loan amount and the repayment terms which are necessary to prevent the loan from becoming a financial burden to the borrowers. The loan terms shall be determined as specified in Section 17-606a-6.

Sources of an applicant's income and other family income shall be clearly identified as to origin and amount. In addition, applicants whose gross annual income is greater than 100 percent of the family median income in Connecticut shall verify that they have been denied other available resources or funds. Upon completion of the application, a preliminary recommendation for approval or denial of the loan shall be made by the peer counselor. Such recommendation shall be based upon the amount of funds requested, the applicant's ability to pay predicated on available discretionary income as defined in Section 17-606a-2(g), and the term of the loan which is limited to the lessor of five years or the life of the equipment. Applicants shall be informed of the preliminary decision. In the case of loan denial, applicants shall be given the reasons for denial and informed of their right to appeal the decision to the Commissioner.

The application, peer counselor recommendation, and other necessary information shall be forwarded to a fiduciary agent which shall administer the loan fund.

(Effective July 13, 1993)