As required by the Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Acts, and any amendments thereto, including rules and regulation issued pursuant to such acts, the Vocational Rehabilitation Department shall give full consideration to any similar benefits available to a handicapped individual, including private, group or other insurance benefits, to meet, in whole or in part, the cost of any vocational rehabilitation services prior to expenditure of public funds. To the extent that an individual is eligible for other benefits, including private, group or other insurance benefits, such benefits shall be utilized insofar as possible. Insurance carriers shall not deny payment of benefits otherwise available solely on the basis that a handicapped individual has applied for, or has been deemed eligible to receive, vocational rehabilitation services as provided by the Vocational Rehabilitation Department.