Vocational Rehabilitation Services

The Vocational Rehabilitation services system is the largest Federal program to address employment needs of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. Vocational Rehabilitation, or “VR,” is the field of employment-related services focusing on the abilities, needs and interests of eligible individuals, and development of individual plans for working based on specific employment goals and matching services and resources to achieve them. These individual VR plans are identified through consultation with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) located in local offices of state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies.

 

Individual plans that are developed, approved, and supported in Vocational Rehabilitation services can be based on a wide range of goals for employment or self-employment. They can include support to access an equally wide range of services and resources to make achievement chosen employment goals more possible. These services and resources often would not be available or affordable for the jobseeker without assistance from their Vocational Rehabilitation agency. 

 

Vocational Rehabilitation can:

• Provide help with job searching (direct services and other resources including clothing, transportation, supplies, tools, etc.)

• Provide resources to support job-specific training and education

• Subcontract with providers for services to specialized populations (e.g. HIV, mental health, youth)

 

To be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services you must:

• have a physical or mental impairment that causes a serious barrier to employment;

• need and have the potential to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in order to prepare for, enter, engage in, or maintain employment; and be sincere in wanting to return to work.

 

If you are receiving Social Security because of your disability then the following applies:

• You are presumed to be eligible for vocational rehabilitation (VR), though you will need to show proof that you are disabled.

• Under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, many SSDI and SSI disability beneficiaries will receive a “Ticket” that you can use to obtain VR, employment, or other support services from an approved provider of your choice. The Social Security Administration doesn’t provide these services, but its Ticket to Work program can help pay for the services under certain conditions.

• You can request VR services at any time; the Ticket program is voluntary, and the services will be provided at no cost to you.

 

Note: Social Security cannot initiate a continuing disability medical review while you are actively engaged in the Ticket to Work program, or “ a Ticket.” 

 

Continued Social Security Payment under a Vocational Rehabilitation Program:

If Social Security finds that you no longer have a disabling condition as a result of medical improvement, your benefit payments usually stop. (For more information go to Section 4: Benefits and Work). However, if you participate in a vocational rehabilitation program, your benefits may continue until your participation in your individual vocational rehabilitation plan ends.

 

To qualify:

• You must have been participating in an approved vocational rehabilitation program before your disability ended under SSA’s rules.

• SSA must review your situation and decide that your continued participation in the vocational rehabilitation program would increase the likelihood of your ability to exit from your enrollment in cash SSI and/or SSDI disability benefits.

 

Further resources:

For your state vocational rehabilitation agency click on: 

rsa.ed.gov/about/states

 

Workforce Development Career Centers

(American Job Centers)

Nearly 2,400 Career Centers are located across the U.S. within the national American Job Centers system of local hubs of workplace development services and resources, designed to provide a full range of assistance to job seekers under one roof. Typically available on a drop-in basis, the American Job Centers are found with reach to nearly every county across the country, under different names from community to community.

 

The Career Centers of the American Job Centers system provide specialized attention and service to veterans, individuals with disabilities, migrant and seasonal farm-workers, justice-involved individuals, youth, minorities, and older workers. They are operated locally by community colleges, community-based organizations, and government agencies. 

 

Primary Career Center service categories include employment services, career guidance, and training and education opportunities. Some examples of the names of local American Job Centers around the country include: Workforce1 (NYC), SC Works Center (Columbia, SC), Jackson WIN Job Center (Jackson, MS), IowaWORKS Center (Dubuque, IA), WorkSource Downtown Seattle (Seattle, WA), America’s Job Center (Albuquerque, NM), WorkSource Atlanta (Atlanta, GA), Denver Workforce Center (Denver, CO), WorkOne Gary (Gary, IN), CareerSource South Florida (Miami, FL), and WorkSource Center (Los Angeles, CA).

 

American Job Center services include:

• Assessment of individual needs and abilities

• Classroom or on the job skills training and education

• Job search assistance, employment counseling

• Job search skills training

• Access to computers, WIFI, printers, phones, and other resources for job searches

• Other support services

 

Find your local Career Center (American Job Centers):

https://www.careeronestop.org/localhelp/americanjobcenters/find-american-job-centers.aspx

Hotline: 1-877-872-5627

TTY: 1-877-889-5627

 

Further resources:

CareerOneStop - online resource for career exploration, training and jobs (U.S. Department of Labor)

https://www.careeronestop.org