What is the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program?
The Vocational Rehabilitation program provides a variety of services to persons with disabilities, with the ultimate goal to prepare for, enter into, or retain employment.
Am I eligible for the VR Program?
You may be eligible for VR services if you meet all of the following requirements:
You have a physical or mental impairment;
Your physical or mental impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment;
You require VR services in order to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment; and
You can benefit from the provision of VR services in terms of achieving an employment outcome.
How do I apply for the VR Program?
Call or visit a VR office near you and inquire about services or set up an appointment. VR staff will collect personal information from you and complete an RSA Referral form on your behalf.
or
Complete one of the following referral forms and submit it to RSA via email.
To speak with someone regarding general information about RSA programs or to receive assistance completing a referral for services, please call Toll-Free 1-800-563-1221. Once your referral is received, it will be sent to a local field office and a VR staff member will contact you to set up an appointment.
Appeals Notice
If you are unhappy with a decision that was made about your Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, you have the right to appeal. Here is an explanation of the appeal process.
To start an appeal, you need to submit a written request for an appeal within 20 calendar days of receiving the VR decision letter. Your request should:
Explain what decision you disagree with and
How you would like to work together with VR staff to resolve the issue.
Choose how you want to resolve the issue. You can choose one or all of the following options:
Informal Review: A supervisor of the person who made the original decision (or a Program Manager) will review the issue and try to find a solution.
Mediation: A process used to discuss disagreements. A person who does not work for VR will meet with you and VR staff to discuss the issue and reach an agreement.
Fair Hearing: A formal review by an Administrative Law Judge who makes a decision based on facts and laws.
If you need help asking for an appeal, you can ask VR staff to help you, or you can contact:
WIOA Section 511- Limitations on the Use of Subminimum Wage Employment for Individuals with Disabilities
In 2014, the federal government passed a new law for job seekers known as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). As part of this law, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, 14c Certificate Holders, schools, and persons with disabilities engaged in, or seeking subminimum wage employment have new responsibilities. These new responsibilities require youth with disabilities and those that serve them, to consider competitive and integrated employment as an option before considering employment that pays subminimum wage. The new responsibilities also require that any individual in subminimum wage employment be provided with career counseling and information/referral services to ensure knowledge of employment options and supports in their community. Please review the following documents for more information:
