Independent Living Program - Florida's Center for Child Welfare

When Should A YoungPerson Apply ForVocational Rehabilitation?EarlyThe time to apply for vocational rehabilitation shouldbe specified in the student’s IEP or 504 plan, or astate VR counselor can recommend the best time.Either way, it’s better for a student not to wait untilhis or her senior year to apply.Being declared eligible often takes much longer thanthe official guidelines suggest. The student, parent, oradvocate should be in close touch with education andDVR or DBS officials to know when to apply.If the vocational rehabilitation agency is preparedto participate in the student’s transition process, anearly application can make an important differencein the outcome. (In Florida, the Division of BlindServices is ready with transition programs andeffective counseling when the student is 14; DVRservices generally start later.)In any case, preparation for vocational rehabilitationtakes time — to apply for services, undergoany evaluations that may be required, befound eligible and assigned a counselor,formulate a strategy, and write and negotiatethe employment plan or IPE.30Some students have benefited from applyingas early as age 14. Others — especially thoseseeking services from DVR instead of DBS —have found that applying for VR services inthe junior year of high school leaves enoughtime to take advantage of the entire transitionprocess. That can change, so it’s a good ideato discuss the timing with counselors at schooland the state agencies.A student who does not apply for VR services whilehe or she is in school can still apply later and beapproved — there is no age limit for eligibility — butin most cases, the sooner the services begin, themore likely they are to succeed.When Should a Young Person Apply?Before the last year of high school, in some caseslong before.Ticket to WorkPeople with disabilities who are also beneficiariesof Social Security may receive employment-relatedservices and supports under the Ticket to Workand Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. TheTicket is a voucher for services that will help eligiblebeneficiaries with their transition to work.The Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation andthe Florida Division of Blind Services are providersto whom eligible clients may choose to assign theirTicket, but there are dozens of other providers inthe state of Florida. To learn more about otherproviders, please visit http://www.ssa.gov/work/ServiceProviders/providers.html or http://www.yourtickettowork.com.People with disabilities can lose their eligibility forMedicaid and Medicare if they go to work. If youare receiving benefits and thinking about working,it could affect your benefits. Please talk to yourbenefits planner. If you have problems, call theAdvocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc.which provides services under the PABSS (Protectionand Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security)Program. Call toll free at 1-800-342-0823.To learn more, please contact the Work IncentivesPlanning and Assistance program serving your area.See Transition Resources section, page 46 for a list.