---
kind: "section"
citation: "29 U.S.C. § 732"
title: "29"
title_heading: "Labor"
number: "732"
heading: "Client assistance program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/29/732"
units:
  - "Chapter 16 — Vocational Rehabilitation and Other Rehabilitation Services"
  - "Subchapter I — Vocational Rehabilitation Services"
  - "Part B — Basic Vocational Rehabilitation Services"
---

# §732. Client assistance program

- (a) **Establishment of grant program—** From funds appropriated under [subsection (h)](#h), the [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) shall, in accordance with this section, make grants to [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) to establish and carry out client assistance programs to provide assistance in informing and advising all clients and client [applicants](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) of all available benefits under this chapter, including under sections [733](/usc/29/733.md) and [794g](/usc/29/794g.md) of this title, and, upon request of such clients or client [applicants](/usc/29/705.md?p=22), to assist and advocate for such clients or [applicants](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) in their relationships with projects, programs, and services provided under this chapter, including assistance and advocacy in pursuing legal, administrative, or other appropriate remedies to ensure the protection of the rights of such [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) under this chapter and to facilitate access to the services funded under this chapter through [individual](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) and systemic advocacy. The client assistance program shall provide information on the available services and benefits under this chapter and title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ([42 U.S.C. 12111](/usc/42/12111.md) et seq.) to [individuals with disabilities](/usc/29/705.md?p=3-B) in the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34), especially with regard to [individuals with disabilities](/usc/29/705.md?p=3-B) who have traditionally been unserved or underserved by vocational rehabilitation programs. In providing assistance and advocacy under this subsection with respect to services under this subchapter, a client assistance program may provide the assistance and advocacy with respect to services that are directly related to facilitating the employment of the [individual](/usc/29/705.md?p=22).
- (b) **Existence of State program as requisite to receiving payments—** No [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) may receive payments from its allotment under this chapter in any fiscal year unless the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) has in effect a client assistance program which—
  - (1) has the authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies to ensure the protection of rights of [individuals with disabilities](/usc/29/705.md?p=3-B) who are receiving treatments, services, or rehabilitation under this chapter within the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34); and
  - (2) meets the requirements of designation under [subsection (c)](#c).
- (c) **Designation of agency to conduct program—**
  - (1)
    - (A) The [Governor](/usc/29/705.md?p=15) shall designate a public or private agency to conduct the client assistance program under this section. Except as provided in the last sentence of this subparagraph, the [Governor](/usc/29/705.md?p=15) shall designate an agency which is independent of any agency which provides treatment, services, or rehabilitation to [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) under this chapter. If there is an agency in the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) which has, or had, prior to February 22, 1984, served as a client assistance agency under this section and which received Federal financial assistance under this chapter, the [Governor](/usc/29/705.md?p=15) may, in the initial designation, designate an agency which provides treatment, services, or rehabilitation to [individuals with disabilities](/usc/29/705.md?p=3-B) under this chapter.
    - (B)
      - (i) The [Governor](/usc/29/705.md?p=15) may not redesignate the agency designated under [subparagraph (A)](#c-1-A) without good cause and unless—
        - (I) the [Governor](/usc/29/705.md?p=15) has given the agency 30 days notice of the intention to make such redesignation, including specification of the good cause for such redesignation and an opportunity to respond to the assertion that good cause has been shown;
        - (II) [individuals with disabilities](/usc/29/705.md?p=3-B) or the [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22)’ representatives have timely notice of the redesignation and opportunity for public comment; and
        - (III) the agency has the opportunity to appeal to the Commissioner on the basis that the redesignation was not for good cause.
      - (ii) If, after August 7, 1998—
        - (I) a [designated State agency](/usc/29/705.md?p=8-A) undergoes any change in the organizational structure of the agency that results in the creation of one or more new [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) agencies or departments or results in the merger of the [designated State agency](/usc/29/705.md?p=8-A) with one or more other [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) agencies or departments; and
        - (II) an agency (including an office or other unit) within the [designated State agency](/usc/29/705.md?p=8-A) was conducting a client assistance program before the change under the last sentence of [subparagraph (A)](#c-1-A),

        the [Governor](/usc/29/705.md?p=15) shall redesignate the agency conducting the program. In conducting the redesignation, the [Governor](/usc/29/705.md?p=15) shall designate to conduct the program an agency that is independent of any agency that provides treatment, services, or rehabilitation to [individuals with disabilities](/usc/29/705.md?p=3-B) under this chapter.

  - (2) In carrying out the provisions of this section, the [Governor](/usc/29/705.md?p=15) shall consult with the director of the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) vocational rehabilitation agency, the head of the developmental [disability](/usc/29/705.md?p=9) protection and advocacy agency, and with representatives of professional and consumer organizations serving [individuals with disabilities](/usc/29/705.md?p=3-B) in the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34).
  - (3) The agency designated under this subsection shall be accountable for the proper use of funds made available to the agency.
- (d) **Class action by designated agency prohibited—** The agency designated under [subsection (c)](#c) of this section may not bring any class action in carrying out its responsibilities under this section.
- (e) **Allotment and reallotment of funds—**
  - (1)
    - (A) After reserving funds under subparagraphs [(E)](#e-1-E) and [(F)](#e-1-F), the [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) shall allot the remainder of the sums appropriated for each fiscal year under this section among the [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) on the basis of relative population of each [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34), except that no [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) shall receive less than $50,000.
    - (B) The [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) shall allot $30,000 each to American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    - (C) For the purpose of this paragraph, the term “[State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34)” does not include American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    - (D)
      - (i) In any fiscal year that the funds appropriated for such fiscal year exceed $7,500,000, the minimum allotment shall be $100,000 for [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) and $45,000 for territories.
      - (ii) For any fiscal year in which the total amount appropriated under [subsection (h)](#h) exceeds the total amount appropriated under such subsection for the preceding fiscal year, the [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) shall increase each of the minimum allotments under [clause (i)](#e-1-D-i) by a percentage that shall not exceed the percentage increase in the total amount appropriated under such subsection between the preceding fiscal year and the fiscal year involved.
    - (E)
      - (i) The [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) shall reserve funds appropriated under [subsection (h)](#h) to make a grant to the protection and advocacy system serving the [American Indian](/usc/29/705.md?p=19-A) Consortium to provide services in accordance with this section. The amount of such a grant shall be the same amount as is provided to a territory under this subsection.
      - (ii) In this subparagraph:
        - (I) The term “[American Indian](/usc/29/705.md?p=19-A) Consortium” has the meaning given the term in [section 102](/usc/29/102.md) of the Developmental [Disabilities](/usc/29/705.md?p=9) Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 ([42 U.S.C. 15002](/usc/42/15002.md)).
        - (II) The term “protection and advocacy system” means a protection and advocacy system established under subtitle C of title I of the Developmental [Disabilities](/usc/29/705.md?p=9) Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 ([42 U.S.C. 15041](/usc/42/15041.md) et seq.).
    - (F) For any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated under [subsection (h)](#h) equals or exceeds $14,000,000, the [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) may reserve not less than 1.8 percent and not more than 2.2 percent of such amount to provide a grant for training and technical assistance for the programs established under this section. Such training and technical assistance shall be coordinated with activities provided under [section 794e(c)(1)(A) of this title](/usc/29/794e.md?p=c-1-A).
  - (2) The amount of an allotment to a [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) for a fiscal year which the [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) determines will not be required by the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) during the period for which it is available for the purpose for which allotted shall be available for reallotment by the [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) at appropriate times to other [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) with respect to which such a determination has not been made, in proportion to the original allotments of such [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) for such fiscal year, but with such proportionate amount for any of such other [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) being reduced to the extent it exceeds the sum the [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) estimates such [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) needs and will be able to use during such period, and the total of such reduction shall be similarly reallotted among the [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) whose proportionate amounts were not so reduced. Any such amount so reallotted to a [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) for a fiscal year shall be deemed to be a part of its allotment for such fiscal year.
  - (3) Except as specifically prohibited by or as otherwise provided in [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) law, the [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) shall pay to the agency designated under [subsection (c)](#c) the amount specified in the application approved under [subsection (f)](#f).
- (f) **Application by State for grant funds—** No grant may be made under this section unless the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) submits an application to the [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information as the [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) deems necessary to meet the requirements of this section.
- (g) **Regulations; minimum requirements—** The [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) shall prescribe regulations applicable to the client assistance program which shall include the following requirements:
  - (1) No employees of such programs shall, while so employed, serve as staff or consultants of any rehabilitation project, program, or facility receiving assistance under this chapter in the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34).
  - (2) Each program shall be afforded reasonable access to policymaking and administrative personnel in the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) and local rehabilitation programs, projects, or facilities.
  - (3)
    - (A) Each program shall contain provisions designed to assure that to the maximum extent possible alternative means of dispute resolution are available for use at the discretion of an [applicant](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) or client of the program prior to resorting to litigation or formal adjudication to resolve a dispute arising under this section.
    - (B) In [subparagraph (A)](#g-3-A), the term “alternative means of dispute resolution” means any procedure, including good faith negotiation, conciliation, facilitation, mediation, factfinding, and arbitration, and any combination of procedures, that is used in lieu of litigation in a court or formal adjudication in an administrative forum, to resolve a dispute arising under this section.
  - (4) For purposes of any periodic audit, report, or evaluation of the performance of a client assistance program under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/29/705.md?p=33) shall not require such a program to disclose the identity of, or any other personally identifiable information related to, any [individual](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) requesting assistance under such program.
- (h) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this section—
  - (1) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2015;
  - (2) $12,927,000 for fiscal year 2016;
  - (3) $13,195,000 for fiscal year 2017;
  - (4) $13,488,000 for fiscal year 2018;
  - (5) $13,805,000 for fiscal year 2019; and
  - (6) $14,098,000 for fiscal year 2020.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 93–112, title I, § 112, as added Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 404, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1163; amended Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 402(b)(9)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–413; Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 421, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1656.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 101–336, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 327. Title I of the Act is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 12111 et seq.) of chapter 126 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 12101 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(E)(ii)(II), is Pub. L. 106–402, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1677. Subtitle C of title I of the Act is classified generally to part C (§ 15041 et seq.) of subchapter I of chapter 144 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15001 of Title 42 and Tables.

### Prior Provisions

Prior sections 732 and 740 were omitted in the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 105–220.

Section 732, Pub. L. 93–112, title I, § 112, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 371; Pub. L. 93–516, title I, §§ 102(b), 111(f), Dec. 7, 1974, 88 Stat. 1618, 1620; Pub. L. 93–651, title I, §§ 102(b), 111(f), Nov. 21, 1974, 89 Stat. 2–3, 2–5; Pub. L. 94–230, §§ 2(b), 11(b)(4), Mar. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 211, 213; Pub. L. 95–602, title I, §§ 105, 122(b)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2960, 2987; Pub. L. 97–375, title I, § 105, Dec. 21, 1982, 96 Stat. 1820; Pub. L. 98–221, title I, § 113(a), Feb. 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 20; Pub. L. 99–506, title I, § 103(d)(2)(C), title II, § 209, title X, § 1001(b)(7), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1810, 1818, 1842; Pub. L. 100–630, title II, § 202(f), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3306; Pub. L. 102–52, § 2(c), June 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 260; Pub. L. 102–569, title I, §§ 102(p)(10), 133, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4357, 4391; Pub. L. 103–73, title I, § 107(g), Aug. 11, 1993, 107 Stat. 723; Pub. L. 104–66, title I, § 1041(c), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 714, related to client assistance program.

Section 740, Pub. L. 93–112, title I, § 120, as added Pub. L. 102–569, title I, § 134(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4392, related to State eligibility for grants.

Another prior section 740, Pub. L. 93–112, title I, § 120, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 372; Pub. L. 95–602, title I, §§ 101(e)(1), 122(b)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2957, 2987; Pub. L. 99–506, title X, § 1001(b)(8), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1842; Pub. L. 100–630, title II, § 202(g), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3306, provided for State allotments to assist in meeting the cost of vocational rehabilitation services, prior to the general amendment of part C of former subchapter I of this chapter by Pub. L. 102–569.

### Amendments

2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–128, § 421(1), inserted “including under sections 733 and 794g of this title,” after “all available benefits under this chapter,”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–128, § 421(2), struck out “not later than October 1, 1984,” after “has in effect” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 113–128, § 421(3)(A), substituted “After reserving funds under subparagraphs (E) and (F), the Secretary shall allot the remainder of” for “The Secretary shall allot”.

Subsec. (e)(1)(E), (F). Pub. L. 113–128, § 421(3)(B), added subpars. (E) and (F).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 113–128, § 421(4), added subsec. (h) and struck out former subsec. (h) which authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1999 through 2003.

1998—Pub. L. 105–277 made technical amendment to section designation and catchline in original.