Both the farmer with a disability (FWD) and the vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC) would like services to occur as quickly as possible. Unfortunately the vocational rehabilitation process is not as fast as one would like. This is due, in part, to the requirement for accuracy and adherence to policy and procedure as well as the size of each VR counselor's case load. The FWD is encouraged to contact the VR counselor with any questions or concerns regarding the status and progress of their case.
VR counselors may not generally be knowledgeable about farming, farm culture and hence may not understand the needs of the farmer to return to farming. In this circumstance it is important for the farmer to be willing to educate the VR counselor of their need and its rationale and relevance in relation to the return to employment.
Limitations in funding may limit availability and timeliness of some services.
In rare instances some disabilities may be considered too severe by VR counselors and hence they may determine the farmer as ineligible for services. It is important for the FWD to know that this determination must be based on objective information and not subjective information. The FWD can appeal an adverse decision and VR will obtain further objective information via extended evaluation.
• No expense to apply or evaluate for eligibility
• Offices available all over the country – easy to contact
• Informed choice of the customer
• Multiple services available – flexibility of services
• Appeal process in place that is standardized and at no cost to the consumer
• An existing physical or mental impairment for the applicant. A few examples are arthritis, degenerative disc disease, cognitive impairment, depression, mood disorders, congenital disabilities, acquired impairments, or work-related injuries that caused impairments.
• The physical or mental impairment results in a substantial impediment to employment.
• The consumer can benefit from the provision of vocational rehabilitation services and that these services are required to prepare for and obtain gainful employment.
The determination of eligibility is based on but not limited to objective information such as medical reports, functional capacity evaluations, and/or psychological evaluations. With permission from the consumer VR will either obtain existing records or provide authorization for necessary evaluations. The documentation of substantial vocational impediments requires that the VR counselor have knowledge and understanding of the work performed by the consumer. (For a farmer with disabilities, this is an opportunity to educate the VR counselor by explaining the tasks and duties of their work and how the functional limitations of the impairment impede their performance.) The provision of vocational rehabilitation services will be related to the functional limitations of the impairment and/or the stated employment goal. The services should be necessary to obtain and retain the stated employment goal.
• If the customer's disability is too severe that successful employment is not possible as determined by the VR counselor based on the objective information available
• The customer cannot benefit (in terms of employment) from the services provided by VR.
• If the customer's disability does not form an impediment to seeking, obtaining and retaining employment.
Generally the VR counselor needs to have convincing evidence on all these counts before services are denied. Also the following situations will lead to denial or discontinuation of services.
• If VR office is not able to contact the customer through phone, regular mail or email after repeated attempts the VR may close the case and hence services will not be available.
• If the customer has moved to another state, the state VR will close the case and deny services. The customer can apply to the VR office in the current state of residence and have records from the old VR office to be sent to the new location.
• If the state VR is in 'Order of Selection' (OOS) status, services may be denied to some customers. A priority sequence determined by the severity of disability is followed while considering for services in OOS status.
• Land
• Buildings
• Vehicles that have to be registered with the state department of motor vehicles
• Firearms, alcohol, pornography
• Luxury items that may cost more than a similarly functioning item that serves the same purpose
• The service should be relevant and necessary to lead to gainful employment of the individual
• Some services are approved only for short periods (e.g. medical, mental health counseling, transportation)
• Can be re-authorized after review and approval by VR counselor and/or supervisor
Some of the services include:
• On the Job training, vocational skills training, post secondary training
• Assistive technology
• Business start up expenses
• Child care
• Living maintenance for short duration
• Supplies while under training
• Licensing fees
• Tools required for the job
• Clothes to attend interviews
• Vision enhancing aids or hearing aids
• Computers and printers (will be closely scrutinized)
• Vehicle modification
• Home modifications including bathroom modifications
• Assistive technology of any type that are necessary for the customer to be successful at the job
• Referral to other agencies
• Supported employment
• Job coaching