Selected Recipients for this Program

Not Applicable.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds received under this program may be used to carry out the purposes of the Independent Living State Grants Program described in section 713 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended.

These purposes include: (1) to provide independent living services to individuals with significant disabilities, particularly those in unserved areas of the State; (2) to demonstrate ways to expand and improve independent living services; (3) to support the operation of centers for independent living that are in compliance with the standards and assurances set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 725; (4) to support activities to increase the capacities of public or nonprofit agencies and organizations and other entities to develop comprehensive approaches or systems for providing independent living services; (5) to conduct studies and analyses, gather information, develop model policies and procedures, and present information, approaches, strategies, findings, conclusions, and recommendations to Federal, State, and local policymakers in order to enhance independent living services for individuals with disabilities; (6) to train individuals with disabilities and individuals providing services to individuals with disabilities and other persons regarding the independent living philosophy; and (7) to provide outreach to populations that are unserved or underserved by programs under this title, including minority groups and urban and rural populations.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Any designated State Entity (DSE) in a State with an approved State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) may apply for assistance under this program.

The DSE is the State entity of such State as the agency that, on behalf of the State, receives, accounts for and disburses funds received under this chapter based on the SPIL.

DSEs in the 50 States and the District of Columbia and the territories (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) and the outlying areas (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) are eligible to apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Individuals with significant disabilities as defined in section 7(21)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act , as amended. This refers to an individual with a severe physical or mental impairment whose ability to function independently in the family or community or whose ability to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment is substantially limited and for whom the delivery of independent living services will improve the ability to function, continue functioning, or move toward functioning independently in the family or community or to continue in employment, respectively.

Credentials/Documentation

The State agency must certify the availability of State funds for matching purposes. The match for this program may be cash or in-kind. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, 'Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.' An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, 'Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.' An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. In order to be eligible for an allotment under this program, States must submit a State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) that meets requirements in section 704 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended. The State shall submit the plan 90 days before the completion date of the preceding plan.

Award Procedures

A notice of annual allotment to the State is issued. States receive annual grant award notices and funds are withdrawn under the Payment Management System.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Authorization

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title VII, Chapter 1, Part B. , Title VII, Part B.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Other - Not Specified.

Appeals

After reasonable effort has been made to resolve the questions involved, and the State has pursued a hearing before the Office of the Administrative Law Judge, the State may appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the State is located pursuant to the IL program regulations at 34 CFR 364.12.

Renewals

Awards are made on an annual basis and may be renewed for up to 2 additional years, for a total of 3 years under an approved State Plan for Independent Living.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula: Section 711 of the Rehabilitation Act contains the formula used for the allocation of funds to each State. Federal funds are distributed to each State whose State plan has been approved under section 706 of an amount bearing the same ratio to such sums as the population of the State bears to the population of all States. The source is the Annual Population Estimates, Bureau of the Census. Matching Requirements: Matching Requirements: Under Section 712(b) of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, provides the Federal share shall be 90 percent of the expenditures incurred by the State during such year under its State plan approved under section 706. The non-Federal share may be provided in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment, or services. This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards are made on an annual basis. Refer to the Funding Opportunity for further details. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Refer to the Funding Opportunity for further details.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Performance reports and financial reports are required annually.

No cash reports are required.

No progress reports are required.

No expenditure reports are required.

No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.

Records

Generally, States and subgrantees must retain records related to grant funds and compliance for a period of 3 years.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0142-0-1-506.

Obigations

(Formula Grants) FY 16 $22,878,000; FY 17 est $24,224,728; and FY 18 Estimate Not Available

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Corinna Stiles 330 C Street, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20201 Email: corinna.stiles@acl.hhs.gov Phone: 202-795-7446

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

An approved State plan is a condition for receipt of funds under the IL State Grants program under the Rehabilitation Act. State plan requirements are contained in section 704 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended.