The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, or VocRehab Vermont (or just VR) is a section of Vermont State government. Its job is to help people with disabilities to prepare themselves for work and find or keep a job.

What do you have to do to receive services?

You may contact VR by telephone, mail, or in person, at on of the VR offices. Someone will meet with you, tell you more about the assistance that VR offers, and help you determine if you want to receive VR services.

Additionally, a VR counselor will help to determine if you are eligible for services.

Who is eligible for services?

Any person in Vermont may be eligible who:

• Has a disability that is a barrier to working.
• Requires the services of VR to become or remain employed.

After you contact a VR counselor, what comes next?

If you feel that these services are what you need, the VR counselor will provide you with an application and will ask you questions about your disability. In most cases, the counselor can determine if you are eligible right away. Or, in some cases, more information may be necessary. Sometimes further evaluations are needed, and the counselor can help arrange for these special evaluations.

Once you are determined eligible, you and the counselor may immediately begin planning the services you need.

What kinds of services will VR provide?

The basic vocational services are vocational counseling and guidance, and help with job placement. Additional services might include help with transportation, interpreter services, special equipment, prosthetics, books, supplies, tools, assistance in starting a business, or special job training.

Does everyone get the same services?

Some people will need many services; others will need only a few of the services VR can offer. Your counselor will spend time helping you to choose an appropriate job goal and the types of services that may be needed to succeed in that job or career. You will work together to choose the services needed, who will provide them, and how they will be provided. Your program of services will be designed to fit your needs.

The list of chosen services, along with when they may begin and how much time will be needed to complete them, will become the Individualized Plan for Employment, often called the IPE. It is an important contract. Both the counselor and you will sign this plan.

Are there some services that VR won't pay for?

VR does not pay for all services. It will only pay for those services which you need to get a job and which are not covered by other sources, such as Worker's Compensation, Medicare or Medicaid, state or federal grants and loans to help pay the costs of education beyond high school, Social Security, and SSI benefits for support during training.

VocRehab Vermont will not pay for past bills and will only pay for services and purchases approved in advance. We will always look for the most cost-effective way to provide services without giving up quality.

What am I expected to do in the VR program?

You and your counselor are partners in planning your program. The counselor will expect you to do all you can to help to prepare for a job, such as keeping appointments, working hard, keeping in touch with your counselor, and discussing problems as they come up. Remember, this is YOUR program and its success is your responsibility. The counselor will support and assist you.

What if I am having problems with my counselor?

The fist thing to do is to talk the problems over with your counselor and try to work things out. If you are still not satisfied, there are a number of things you can do:

• You may contact the Client Assistance Program (CAP). For more information, click here.
• You may ask for an administrative review and/or a fair hearing. Your counselor or CAP representative will give you information on how to request these.

All information in your record of services is kept confidential and can only be released with your consent. The only exception to this is that VR is required by law to release information about you without your consent in connection with law enforcement, fraud, abuse, if the court orders, or for protection if you are a danger to yourself or others.

You are allowed to read and copy any parts of your record that were developed as part of your work with VR. VR is not allowed to release reports written by other agencies without their consent, but your counselor can help you receive permission or you can go directly to that agency and ask for that report.