Section 21.162 - Participation in a program of independent living services(a)Approval of a program of independent living services. A program of independent living services and assistance is approved when: (1) The VA determines that achievement of a vocational goal is not currently reasonably feasible;(2) The VA determines that the veteran's independence in daily living can be improved, and the gains made can reasonably be expected to continue following completion of the program;(3) All steps required by §§ 21.90 and 21.92 of this part for the development and preparation of an Individualized Independent Living Plan (IILP) have been completed; and(4) The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR& E) Officer concurs in the IILP. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(15) , 3109 , 3120 )
(b)Considerations for the VR& E Officer. The VR& E Officer will consider the following factors in administering programs providing independent living services: (1) If VA resources available limit the number of veterans who may be provided a program of independent living services and assistance, the first priority shall be given to veterans for whom the reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal is precluded solely as a result of service-connected disability; and(2) To the maximum extent feasible, a substantial portion of veterans provided with programs of independent living services and assistance shall be receiving long-term care in VA medical centers and nursing homes.49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 50957, Dec. 19, 1988; 55 FR 48842, Nov. 23, 1990; 62 FR 17708, Apr. 11, 1997; 87 FR 8743 , Feb. 16, 2022 Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3120(c)