Eligibility Process

The determination of eligibility is an individualized process. All facets of eligibility have to be considered in each specific case to measure the impact of a disability on a particular individual’s ability to work.

There are four requirements for eligibility:

1. An individual must a physical or mental impairment;
2. The impairment must result in a substantial impediment to employment;
3. An individual must be able to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of employment outcome;
4. An individual must require vocational rehabilitation services in order to obtain or maintain appropriate employment.

An individual must meet all four requirements to be eligible. It is the responsibility of a vocational rehabilitation counselor to determine an individual’s eligibility for services. The counselor will perform an assessment to determine if an applicant meets all four requirements. An eligibility decision will be made within 60 days unless exceptional and unforeseen circumstances cause a delay. If the eligibility cannot be determined in 60 days, you and the counselor must agree to an extension of time.

There is no upper or lower age limit to be eligible for services, but an individual must be of employable age by the time services have been completed. There are no residency requirements for eligibility purposes, but an individual must be available to participate in rehabilitation services. Eligibility requirements are applied without regard to sex, age, race, creed, color, type of disability, or national origin of the individual applying for services.

Not all individuals who are eligible will receive VR services. Federal law requires the Vocational Rehabilitation program to serve individuals with the most significant disabilities first when there are not enough resources to serve everyone who is eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation services. This means that individuals with the most significant disabilities are given a priority over those with less significant disabilities. This process is called an "order of selection."

If you have a less significant disability and fall within a category we cannot currently serve, you may request to have your case placed on a waiting list. Should funds become available you will be contacted to assess your interest in services. Even if funds are not available to serve you, the Office will provide information and referrals to other agencies that may assist you in meeting your employment needs.Below is Office of Vocational Rehabiltiation’s Order of Selection. Currently, only individuals in Category 1 and category 2 are receiving services. All others are being placed on a wait list for services.

Priority Category

• Category 1 - Eligible individuals who have the most significant disabilities.
• Category 2 - Eligible individuals with significant disabilities who have limitations in three (3) major areas of functional limitations.
• Category 3 - Eligible individuals with significant disabilities who have limitations in two (2) major areas of functional limitations.
• Category 4 - Eligible individuals with significant disabilities who have limitations in one (1) major area of functional limitations.
• Category 5 - Eligible individuals with nonsignificant disabilities.

Order of Selection Brochure [PDF - 197KB]

Order of Selection Community Partners Letter [MS Word - 310KB]