Chapter 5, Overview of the Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program STAP

5.1 Introduction

Effective Sept. 2015

The Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP) was created under authority of the Utilities Code, Chapter 56, Subchapter E. This chapter outlines the general program operations that provide assistance to people with disabilities in Texas.

STAP provides vouchers to assist with buying specialized telecommunications equipment or services for people with disabilities that impair their ability to access the telephone network.

For more specific program rules please see the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 40, Chapter 109, Subchapter C.

5.2 Definitions

Effective Sept. 2015

Application – The forms DHHS uses to gather and document information about a person applying for help under this program, see How to Apply for a Voucher, for an application.

Approved equipment or service – The equipment or service approved by HHSC DHHS for reimbursement under this program.

Basic specialized telecommunications equipment – A basic device or devices that work together as one device, determined by HHSC DHHS to be necessary to provide effective access to the telephone network for a person whose disability impairs his or her ability to access the telephone network.

Basic specialized telecommunications service – A service or services that work together as one service, determined by HHSC DHHS to be necessary to provide effective access to the telephone network for a person whose disability impairs his or her ability to access the telephone network, but which may be less expensive than basic specialized telecommunications equipment that meets the same need.

DHHS – The Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.

Entity – Any individual owner, partner, company, or other business organization.

Financial assistance – A monetary value established by a voucher for a specialized equipment or service; the value might not cover the full price of the equipment or service.

Financial independence – A situation in which two or more otherwise eligible persons reside in the same household but are not dependent upon one another for financial support.

Functionally equivalent network access – Access to the telephone network that provides a person with a disability with communications access comparable to that of a person without a disability.

HHSC – Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Legal guardian – A person appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to exercise the legal powers of another person such as a minor, elderly person, or person who is incapacitated.

Program – Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP) that assists people with disabilities to access telephone and communications networks through specialized telecommunications equipment and services.

PUC – Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Reimbursement amount – The amount, set by HHSC DHHS, that HHSC DHHS will reimburse to STAP vendors for an exchanged voucher.

Resident – A person who resides in the state of Texas and intends to remain in Texas.

Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP) – Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program that assists people with disabilities to access telephone and communications networks through specialized telecommunications equipment and services.

STAP Administrative Support Contractor – The entity that HHSC DHHS and/or PUC has contracted with to administer STAP vendor registration and voucher redemptions, including payments, on behalf of HHSC DHHS.

STAP Vendor – An entity that sells basic specialized telecommunication equipment or services, as defined under STAP, and is registered with the STAP Administrative Support contractor and approved by HHSC DHHS. Includes individual owners, partners, companies, or other entities with an ownership interest in the STAP vendor.

TUSF – The Texas Universal Service Fund.

Voucher – A financial assistance document issued by HHSC DHHS to eligible applicants that is used to purchase a specific type of basic specialized telecommunications equipment or service from a STAP vendor.

Voucher category – A specific class of equipment or services that provides the same or similar type of telephone network access.

Voucher category value – For a specific voucher category, HHSC DHHS will determine a reasonable price, which is the maximum reimbursement amount for any basic specialized telecommunications equipment or service within that voucher category.

5.3 Eligibility for Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program Services

5.3.1 Requirements for Eligibility

Effective Sept. 2015

To be eligible for assistance from the Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP), a person must:

  • be a resident of Texas;
  • be certified, by an HHSC Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS)-authorized person, as having a disability that interferes with the ability to effectively access the telephone network, per 5.3.2 Persons Authorized to Certify Disability;
  • be in a situation where no other person with a disability in the household has received a voucher for the same type of equipment, unless:
    • the people in the household are financially independent of each other;
  • not have received a voucher from HHSC DHHS for any specialized telecommunications equipment or services before the fifth anniversary of the date the person exchanged the previously issued voucher under this program unless:
    • before that anniversary, the person demonstrates need for a different type of specialized telecommunications equipment or service because of a change in the person’s disability status as described in 5.3.3 Change of Disability; and
  • be able to benefit from the specialized telecommunications equipment or service provided by the voucher.

If a voucher recipient has not exchanged or has returned an issued voucher within the last five years and in compliance with program rules, the person is eligible for another voucher if all other eligibility requirements are met.

A voucher recipient who returns specialized telecommunications equipment or stops a service received through a voucher and does so in compliance with program rules, the person may be eligible for another voucher if the situation meets criteria established in 5.6.2 STAP Vendor Duties and Responsibilities.

5.3.2 Persons Authorized to Certify Disability

Effective Sept. 2015

Before HHSC DHHS can process and approve an application and issue a voucher under the Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP), the applicant must obtain certification as a person with a disability that impairs the ability to effectively access the telephone network. The applicant, defined as a person who has applied for eligibility under STAP, may obtain certification from authorized certifiers.

Authorized certifiers include the following licensed and/or certified professionals:

  • Hearing aid specialist;
  • Audiologist;
  • Physician;
  • Speech pathologist;
  • Social worker; or
  • State-certified education teacher:
    • deaf or hard of hearing;
    • visually impaired; or
    • speech impaired.

Authorized certifiers also include the following HHSC and/or HHSC DHHS approved professionals:

  • HHSC rehabilitation counselor;
  • HHSC-DHHS-approved state or federal employee or contractor;
  • STAP specialist as named in a DHHS STAP Outreach and Training contract;
  • HHSC DHHS-approved specialist working in a disability related field; and
  • Any professional approved by HHSC DHHS.

By certifying an application, a certifier attests that he or she:

  • is eligible to certify under the provisions of the program;
  • has personally met with the applicant and assessed the applicant's disability to determine that the applicant is eligible, in accordance with the program eligibility criteria;
  • has reviewed the information on the application to ensure that the form is completed properly and all requested information has been provided; and
  • has determined that the applicant will be able to benefit from access to the telephone network system provided by the specialized telecommunications equipment or services requested on the application.

An authorized certifier may be contacted to provide additional documentation as needed to confirm or supplement information provided on an application including:

  • physician's statements;
  • medical records;
  • auditory- or vision-care professional's records;
  • a copy of a certificate or license; and
  • updated certifier contact information.

A authorized certifier will not be allowed to certify under the program if found to have:

  • provided false or intentionally misleading information on or involving a STAP application;
  • encouraged an applicant to select specialized telecommunications equipment or services that are not needed for telephone access by the applicant;
  • provided certification for an applicant with whom the certifier has not met in person to assess the applicant's disability;
  • encouraged an applicant to exchange the voucher with a specific STAP vendor, unless only one STAP vendor carries the specialized telecommunications equipment or service required by the applicant;
  • refused to provide additional documentation to confirm or supplement information provided on an application; or
  • violated or is suspected of violating any HHSC DHHS rules, policies, or laws relating to the STAP program.

5.3.3 Change of Disability

Effective Sept. 2015

An applicant applying for new or additional specialized telecommunications equipment or services because of a change of disability must have the authorized certifier explain why the previous specialized equipment or service is no longer sufficient to provide access to the telephone network. If Form 3906, Application for Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP), is being submitted, an authorized certifier must complete the change of disability section. If Form 3907, Application for Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP): Speech Generating Devices, is being submitted, a licensed speech-language pathologist must also complete and sign Form 3926, Change of Disability.

An applicant who received a voucher less than 5 five years ago and who is applying for another voucher because of a change of disability is not eligible for another piece of device specialized telecommunications equipment or service that functions similarly to the device specialized telecommunications equipment or service that was previously received. For example, an applicant who was issued an amplified telephone voucher less than 5 five years ago who is applying for a Bluetooth cell phone voucher is not eligible for another voucher under change of disability. A Bluetooth cell phone and an amplified phone function similarly, in that both devices rely on residual hearing. The applicant would be eligible to receive a voucher for a text-based device that does not require residual hearing.

An applicant requesting multiple devices specialized telecommunications equipment types or services because of a change of disability may receive a voucher only for devices specialized telecommunications equipment or services not previously issued on any voucher exchanged within the last 5 five years, unless the previously issued devices specialized telecommunications equipment types or services are not compatible with the equipment and/or service currently being requested.

5.3.4 Consumer Confidentiality

Effective Sept. 2015

All information HHSC DHHS receives throughout the STAP application process, including names and addresses of applicants, is confidential under Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 2, Chapter 101, Subchapter D, (§101.811 of Title 40). HHSC DHHS is required to protect confidentiality by:

not advertising, distributing, or publishing the name, address, or other related information about a STAP applicant;
enforcing the fact that STAP applicant information is exempted from disclosure under the Public Information Act; and
ensuring that all STAP applicant information remains the sole property of HHSC DHHS.

5.4 Determination of Approved Equipment or Services

Effective Sept. 2015

HHSC DHHS determines and approves the makes and models of specialized telecommunications equipment and services that are eligible for reimbursement to STAP vendors through vouchers. While the approved makes and models are final, HHSC DHHS reviews them annually and makes any necessary changes.

5.5 Vouchers

Effective Sept. 2015

A voucher recipient is issued an individually numbered voucher to be used to buy a specific type of specialized telecommunications equipment or service. The voucher must specify the:

  • dollar value,
  • specialized telecommunications equipment or service that may be purchased, and
  • expiration date of the voucher.

Vouchers are nontransferable and have no cash value.

A voucher guarantees payment to a STAP vendor, up to the amount specified on the voucher, if all applicable rules, policies, procedures, and laws are satisfied.

5.6 Vendors

Effective Sept. 2015

Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP) vendors must be approved according to STAP eligibility requirements. Once approved, the STAP vendor must comply with all general program rules as well as record retention and audit requirements, or the vendor may lose STAP eligibility and require reinstatement to continue acting as a vendor.

5.7 Voucher Reimbursement

Effective Sept. 2015

The HHSC Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) determines a reasonable reimbursement amount for approved makes and models of specialized telecommunications equipment and services. Reimbursement amounts are paid to Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP) vendors for issued vouchers that are exchanged.

HHSC DHHS reviews reimbursement amounts at least annually. Reimbursement amounts are determined by best value and are based on factors such as reasonable and customary industry standards for approved specialized telecommunications equipment and services.

Proposed reimbursement amounts for approved specialized telecommunications equipment or services are posted to the HHSC DHHS STAP webpage for comments 45 calendar days before final determinations are made. Comments received are considered in determining reimbursement amounts.

The STAP vendor reimbursement amounts determined by HHSC DHHS are final.