When you apply for VR services, if you have a disability that is an impediment to employment and require VR services to gain or retain employment, you should be presumed employable unless your counselor can clearly show you are unable to work. You can also be considered for an extended evaluation period that will help you show that you can work.

The counselor may use any completed evaluations and reports to decide if you are eligible. The counselor should evaluate what you need to become employed, including your need for equipment to help you work or "rehabilitation technology." The counselor should make a decision whether you are eligible within sixty days of the date you apply unless something unexpected happens.

WRITING THE PLAN

After you are determined eligible, you and the counselor should write an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan or IWRP. The counselor should include on the plan all the services that VR will provide. Some of the services that VR can pay for are:

1. Rehabilitation Technology- This means any kind of equipment that would help you on the job or in getting to work. It can include wheelchairs, prosthetics, vibrating alarms, computers, communication devices, TDDs, etc. Your counselor should do a complete assessment of your technology needs and include them on your plan. VR should pay for the technology you need to work that is on your plan unless funding is readily available from another source, including your own income. This means you should not have to be without necessary equipment while searching for other sources of funding.

2. Personal Assistance Services- Your counselor can include on your plan payment for a person to help you with your daily living activities both on and off the job if you need the help in order to work or go to job training or evaluations. This can be in addition to any person that is paid by Medicaid and they do not have to meet the Medicaid criteria.

3. Supported Employment Services- Services, such as a job coach, to help you be employed in the community in an integrated setting.

4. 0ngoing Support Services- Intensive services provided at your home, in the community, or at your job to help you keep your job. It can include transportation, communication, rehabilitation technology, personal assistance services, job trainers, social skills training, counseling, family support, etc.

5. Postemployment Services- These are services the counselor can include on a new plan after you have started working and your VR case is closed to help you keep your job.

Your VR counselor should evaluate your need for rehabilitation technology to determine if technology is needed to help you keep your job.

Remember that you and your counselor both develop the IWRP and agree on the services. You should read your plan before signing it to make sure you agree with everything on it. The counselor will give you a copy of the IWRP. If you want to change it after you have signed it, just call your counselor and ask for a meeting.

If you do not agree with the decisions of your counselor, you can do any of the following:

1. Contact your counselor to discuss it further.

2. Call 336-5353 or 1-800-632-5125 and ask for help from the Client Assistance Program (CAP). The advocates for this program do not work for VR and can tell you if you have a right to the service you want. They can work with you and your counselor to get appropriate services on your plan.

3. Request an administrative review of the counselor's decision by the Regional Manager of the VR office. You must request this within 30 days after the counselor denies your request.

4. Tell your counselor you want a hearing with an impartial hearing officer. This request should be made within thirty days of the denial or within 30 days of the decision of the Regional Manager if you asked for the decision to be reviewed.

What is the Client Assistance Program?

Who is eligible for CAP services?

Individuals seeking information, applying for services or receiving services from federally funded rehabilitation programs.

Individuals who are dissatisfied with the services they are receiving from federally funded rehabilitation programs or who have been denied services for which they might be eligible.

What services does the CAP provide?

Information about services available through rehabilitation agencies.

Advice about your rights and responsibilities as an applicant/client of these agencies.

Help to facilitate improved communication between you and your counselor.

Assistance with resolving disagreements through mediation and negotiation.

Individual advocacy services including assistance with administrative and legal proceedings.

The CAP is operated by Co-Ad, Inc. Co-Ad, Inc. is a non-profit legal services organization designated as the "Protection and Advocacy System" for Idaho. The CAP is one of five federally funded programs Co-Ad, Inc. operates to protect the legal rights of individuals with disabilities.

CO-AD, INC. OFFICES

Statewide toll-free number: 1-800-632-5125

Home

This brochure was printed by Co-Ad, Inc.
Printing funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration