States wishing to receive funding under the Rehab Act, Title VII, parts B and C must submit a three-year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) to the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) for approval. The SPIL encompasses the activities planned by the State to achieve its specified independent living objectives and reflect the State's commitment to comply with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements during the three years covered by the plan. In States with a separate agency or unit that administers the State Independent Living Services (SILS) program for individuals who are blind, the director of that agency/unit, along with the director of the Designated State Unit (DSU) are required to jointly develop and sign the SPIL and cooperate in its implementation.

Part I of the SPIL is a series of assurances, or statements of compliance, based on legal and regulatory provisions governing the SILS and Centers for Independent Living (CILs) programs.

Part II of the SPIL consists of narrative sections in which the State describes its independent living objectives, services, activities and operational details.