SECTION 360.505. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Application--The form ODHHS uses to gather and document information about a person to determine eligibility when applying for assistance under STAP.

(2) Approved Equipment or Service--The equipment or service approved by ODHHS for reimbursement under STAP.

(3) Basic Specialized Telecommunications Equipment--A basic device, or basic devices that work together as one device, determined by ODHHS to be necessary to provide effective access to the telephone network for a person whose disabilities impair the person's ability to access the telephone network.

(4) Basic Specialized Telecommunications Service--A service, or services that work together as one service, determined by ODHHS to be necessary to provide effective access to the telephone network for a person whose disabilities impair the person's ability to access the telephone network.

(5) Claimed Voucher--To claim a voucher, vendors are to provide voucher exchange information in the ODHHS STAP online claiming system. A vendor must be registered with STAP to receive access to the claiming system.

(6) Entity--Any individual owner, partner, company, or other business organization.

(7) Equipment Value--A monetary value established by ODHHS for allowable specialized telecommunications equipment or service, identified by make and model or service.

(8) Financial Assistance--A type of assistance provided based on the monetary value established by a voucher for basic, specialized telecommunications equipment or service, where the value may not cover the full price of the equipment or service.

(9) Financial Independence--An instance in which two or more otherwise eligible persons reside in the same household but are not dependent upon one another for financial support.

(10) Functionally Equivalent Network Access--Access to the telephone network that provides communication access for a person with a disability, which is comparable to that of persons without a disability.

(11) HHSC--Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

(12) Legal Guardian--A person appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to exercise the legal powers of another person.

(13) ODHHS--The HHSC Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.

(14) PUC--The Public Utility Commission of Texas.

(15) Resident--A person who resides in Texas as evidenced by one of the following unexpired documents:

(A) Texas driver's license;

(B) ID card issued by a governmental entity with address;

(C) utility bill with address;

(D) voter registration card;

(E) vehicle registration receipt;

(F) official letter from a residential facility signed by the director or supervisor; or

(G) other document approved by ODHHS.

(16) Signature Authority--A person who represents a vendor and is authorized to sign and exchange vouchers on behalf of the vendor.

(17) STAP--The Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program.

(18) STAP Vendor--An entity that sells basic specialized telecommunications equipment or services, as defined under STAP, and is registered with and approved by ODHHS. A STAP vendor includes any individual owners, partners, companies, or other entities with an ownership interest in the STAP vendor.

(19) TUSF--The Texas Universal Service Fund.

(20) Voucher--A financial assistance document issued by ODHHS to eligible applicants that is used to purchase a specified type of basic specialized telecommunications equipment or service from a STAP vendor.

(21) Voucher Category--A specific class of basic specialized telecommunications equipment or services that provides the same or similar type of telephone network access.

(22) Voucher Category Value--For a specific voucher category, ODHHS will determine a reasonable price, which is the maximum reimbursement amount for any basic specialized telecommunications equipment or service within that voucher category.

Source Note: The provisions of this §360.505 adopted to be effective March 30, 2021, 46 TexReg 2024