Welcome back to our Vocational Rehabilitation Series, where we are taking a look at Vocational Rehabilitation(VR) programs offered by various states to explore how they work, shed some light on the process, and offer some starting points for exploring VR options for yourself or someone you are supporting. In Part 1, we went over VR basics, including who is running it, what they do, and how you can contact a VR program in your own state. 

In Part 2, we will be covering the application and eligibility process.

Applying for VR can feel overwhelming, especially for those who, very reasonably, are already feeling overwhelmed by the obstacles and barriers associated with finding a job. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key components of a VR application to develop a sense of how you or someone you are supporting might want to navigate the process in your own state.

When exploring the possibility of Vocational Rehabilitation, you may have a specific idea in mind of the obstacles in your way and what exactly you need to work on to get where you need to be. You also might feel completely lost, just knowing you want to find work you can do and that you heard a VR service might help. 

You are not required to know exactly what you want at the very beginning of the process, but it can be helpful to make a very clear statement to yourself about what you are seeking out and what you can still learn. If you have fewer specifics now, you may find that the program in question can help you with exactly those questions, and the formal application process may be exactly right for you. 

If you have a specific idea of what you want, there are often a variety of programs available, which in some cases might mean it’s better to go through that specific program to get to what you want faster. In either case, establishing a firm starting point can go a long way toward avoiding wasting time either applying to things you don’t need or feeling lost trying to find “the exact right” option on the website without a clear idea of what that might be. 

It is important to remember for the formal application process that every state is different and will have its own specific procedures and requirements, and that you should consult your own state’s website and agency to find out what you need to do. 

To offer an example of the common things one might expect to see during the VR process, let’s take a closer look at Tennessee’s application page. The formal process requires first scheduling an intake appointment during which the formal application will be completed. They specifically suggest that applicants bring documentation for their disability, including medical records or educational records such as IEPs, unless they are already enrolled in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs. 

To make the process a little easier, they also have a referral form and mention a local disability rights organization that offers assistance and a help line. While every process may differ slightly, making sure someone at your state agency knows you are seeking assistance and that you have documentation of your disability is often the most crucial component to successfully completing the application process.

Eligibility is an area where VR can simultaneously be relatively straightforward and also frustratingly opaque. Consider Tennessee’s application page, where they say that beneficiaries of SSI or SSDI are presumed eligible for vocational rehabilitation services. 

North Carolina’s FAQ on the topic throws in some complicating factors: “You must be an individual with a disability that presents a barrier to employment success and requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment.” 

But wait a second, it might be clear cut whether or not we have a legal disability, but what counts as a disability that presents a barrier to performance success? How do we know when VR services are required? 

That is a subjective question, and one that your state agency might answer for you; however, you may feel differently about the topic. In short, the minimum threshold for eligibility is a legally qualifying disability, but you may be denied for other reasons, and it is ultimately within the legal discretion of the agencies to make those choices. 

While it is not the reality we would hope for, it is important to be aware of the possibility going in to avoid being surprised by an upsetting decision.

We hope that this post has offered some starting points for your own application process and a roadmap for navigating your own state agency’s process. If you’d like to share about the unique wrinkles of the process in your state, then we would love to hear from you! Just drop us a line at hello@autismgrownup.com and stay tuned for Part 3, where we will be talking about some of the services that various VR programs offer.