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VA Telework Loans

The Virginia Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA) has a new credit-financing program for Virginians with disabilities: Telework loans. Telework Loans are available to Virginians with disabilities requiring credit financing for computers and other equipment, including adaptive equipment and / or modifications to their home that will enable them have an employment outcome working from their home or residence or at a telework center if available.

Telework Loans are available at a low interest rate with longer terms to eligible borrowers. With proof of an employment offer, a borrower may pay interest only for a telework loan for the first three months.

Telework / Telecommuting means the individual works for pay from home in a job that would otherwise be completed at an office or workplace. The ATLFA will make Telework loans to individuals who require computers and other equipment in order to obtain employment, maintain employment or to establish a self-employment enterprise while working from their home or telework center.

What equipment is eligible under this program?

Examples include, but are not limited to:

·               Computers, printers and related peripherals

·               Software

·               Fax machines and scanners

·               Tools

·               Office machines (e.g., calculators)

·               Telecommunication devices

·               Office furniture

·               Home modifications to create accessible home offices

·               Assistive technology that enables an individual with a disability to work more independently or productively

The cost of training needed to use the equipment properly, maintenance agreements and extended warranties for the equipment, as well as maintenance and repair expenses for the equipment may be included in a Telework loan.

General Conditions for Approval of Telework Loans

A telework loan may be approved for a Virginia resident with a disability to either (a) increase income through telework (b) initiate telework to avoid losing income through a loss of or reduction in employment or self-employment, or (c) to begin working at home because it is easier to accommodate their disabling condition.

A telework loan meets this criteria if the equipment to be purchased with the loan will assist the individual with a disability to do at least one of the following:

· Begin telework for an employer when the individual was previously unemployed;

· Increase income in an existing job through telework;

· Remain employed at his/her current level, and prevent job loss or a reduction in earnings, through telework;

· Begin working at home to accommodate their disability, whether income is increased, stays constant or decreases; or

· Initiate or expand self-employment

For more information on Telework Loans contact the Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority

Additional Information

The Federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA), lead agencies for the federal teleworking initiative, have established a joint web site on Telework. Here you will find information for employees who think they might like to telecommute (or are already doing so), for managers and supervisors who supervise teleworkers, and for agency telework coordinators. The website includes Frequently Asked Questions for both employers and employees, manuals, policies, and links to other telework web pages. Visit the Interagency Telework Site at:
http://www.telework.gov/

See also:

Consumer Service Fund (CSF)

Assistive Technology Assessments

Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority

Assistive Technology Services

Back to:

Virginia Benefit Information System Welcome and Introduction

Source

Information for this topic was drawn from the ATLFA website at:
http://www.atlfa.org/telework.htm

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