Phoenix Rising Re-Entry

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Vocational rehabilitation services may include:

• Vocational counseling, guidance, and referral services
• Job training, placement, and support
• Supported employment
• Independent-living services
• Rehabilitation-technology services and devices
• Services for the sight-and hearing-impaired

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:

• If you receive SSI or SSDI, you’re generally presumed eligible for state vocational rehabilitation services — but you still need to apply, and services can depend on the state program’s capacity and rules.
• 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. Social Security doesn’t provide these services, but SS 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: Just having a Ticket doesn’t stop a medical review. But if your Ticket is assigned and you’re making timely progress (Ticket ‘in use’), SSA generally won’t start a medical continuing disability review.

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 the vocational rehabilitation program 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 permanent removal from the disability benefit rolls

Further resources:

For your state vocational rehabilitation agency click on:
rsa.ed.gov/about/states

Ticket to Work Help Line: 1-866-968-7842 (TTY: 1-866-833-2967)
www.ssa.gov/work/

Workforce training help (WIOA) & American Job Centers

Program services include:

• Assessment of individual needs and abilities
• Classroom or on the job skills training
• Job search assistance, employment counseling
• Job skills training
• Other support services

Find your local American Job Center (AJC):
www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/AmericanJobCenters/find-american-job-centers.aspx

DOL ODEP (disability employment policy hub):
www.dol.gov/agencies/odep