(1) TAS staff must consider family size and household income in determining how much the applicant must pay for telecommunications equipment. Financial responsibility ranges from no cost to one hundred percent of actual cost based on federal poverty guidelines.

(2) Exception: If the normal cost that TAS assesses for equipment is still beyond the applicant's ability to pay, the cost may be partly or totally waived (excused) if:

(a) The eligible person requires TTY with Braille equipment or any other equipment of comparable cost; or

(b) The cost of the equipment would create an undue hardship on the eligible person.