Client services handbook : assisting people with disabilities to work / Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Vocational Rehabilitation Program
CLIENT SERVICES HANDBOOK
Assisting People with Disabilities to Work

Georgia Department of Labor Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Revised 3/03
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary Aids & Services Are Available Upon Request To Individuals With Disabilities
DOL-4502 (R-3/03)

Georgia Department of Labor Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner

Welcome to the Georgia Department of Labor Vocational Rehabilitation Program
The Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR) is proud to assist you in achieving your employment goal. This Handbook advises you of your rights and responsibilities in the vocational rehabilitation process.
VR Program Responsibilities: Just as you have responsibilities, the Program also has responsibilities. The Program has the responsibility of ensuring your rights.
Your Rights
O To apply for our services.
O To be evaluated to find out if we can assist you with services.
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O To have options among providers of services whenever options exist.
O To know of any decisions which affect your case and the reasons for them.
O To have sufficient information needed to make good informed choices.
O To be considered for services no matter what your race, skin color, type of disability, religion or age, or what country you and your family are from, or whether you are male or female.
O To know the information about you will be kept private within the limits of the law.
O To have options for the development of your program of services.
O To help plan your program of services.
O To know about important changes in your program before they happen.

O To appeal any of our decisions affecting your case.
O To ask for assistance from the Client Assistance Program.
The VR Program is also responsible for making sure you have every chance to succeed in your rehabilitation program and that we are being fair and helpful to you. This means that you will be given every opportunity to be advised of options and to make choices throughout your vocational rehabilitation program.
This Is YOUR Life!
TO GET YOU WORKING
The Purpose of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program is to: "Assist People with Disabilities to Work"
Who Can Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Services?
You can apply for vocational rehabilitation services if you have a physical, mental or emotional disability that interferes with your ability to WORK and you need vocational rehabilitation services to WORK.
Applying for Services
You will meet with a counselor or other members of the team and fill out an application for vocational rehabilitation services. You and your counselor will get documentation of your disability to determine if you QUALIFY.
How Do I Qualify?
You may QUALIFY for vocational rehabilitation services if you have a disability, which substantially affects your ability to work, or if you receive SSDI or SSI. Your counselor will let you know as soon as possible if you QUALIFY.
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State of Georgia Agency-Based Registration Application
Declaration Statement

Name:

Date:

IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE WHERE YOU LIVE NOW, WOULD YOU LIKE TO REGISTER TO VOTE HERE TODAY?
1) R I am not a citizen of the United Stated of America.

2) R I am a citizen and I want to register to vote. 3) R I am already registered to vote.

4) R I do not want to register to vote.

Applying to register or declining to register to vote will not effect the amount of assistance that you will be provided by this agency. IF YOU DO NOT CHECK ANY BOX, YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED TO
HAVE DECIDED NOT TO REGISTER TO VOTE AT THIS TIME.

If you would like help in filling out the voter registration application form, we will help you. The decision whether to seek or accept help is yours. You may fill out the application in private.

If you believe that someone has interfered with your right to register or to decline to register to vote or your right to privacy in deciding whether to register or in applying to register to vote, you may file a complaint with the Secretary of State at 1104 West Tower, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30334 or by calling 404-656-2871.

If an applicant declines to register to vote, the declination shall be confidential and will be used only for voter registration purposes.
COMMENTS/REMARKS

OFFICE USE ONLY If an applicant refuses to sign the registration application, count as a declination and mark box 4 on this form. Note under comments: "Refused to sign application." If either box 1, 3, or 4 is checked, place the form in the declination file. Retain all declinations for 24 months.
Form DS-95

O Most people with disabilities want to work and will cooperate with vocational rehabilitation services during the course of their rehabilitation program. However, the law provides for the suspension of Social Security benefits if a person fails to cooperate with the vocational rehabilitation services agency and does not have a good reason for doing so.
O The local Vocational Rehabilitation Program office periodically sponsors forums/seminars and workshops on Social Security work incentives. See your VR counselor for additional information.
Other Benefit Information
O It is important for you to understand that when you go to work, benefits from Georgia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Stamps and other benefit programs may be reduced or eliminated.
Vocational Rehabilitation Payment for Services
O Services received from and through the Vocational Rehabilitation Program are dependent upon the availability of funds.
O Eligibility for services is continuously evaluated. Your eligibility status may change.
O VR cannot pay any bills for which VR has not issued prior written authorization.
Your VR counselor and other members of the rehabilitation team are here to serve you. They will work with you as you determine an employment goal, develop and complete a Work Plan, and reach that goal. Your involvement at every step along the way is very important. Remember...
This is YOUR Life!!
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Work Needs Assessment
You and your VR counselor will make choices about available services you will need to reach your employment goal. Your counselor may schedule you for tests to find out what services you need.
Work Plan
You will participate in the development of a Work Plan that lists your responsibilities and the services you may receive.
Vocational Services
Services will be based on your individual needs for the purpose of WORKING.
Closure
Your case may be closed after you have been employed successfully for 90 days.
Services After Closure
You may request additional services after your case is closed if they are needed to keep you WORKING.
How Long Will This Take?
The length of time is different for each person depending on the services needed to go to WORK.
"WORKING TOGETHER WORKS!"
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Thank you for contacting the Georgia Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR). We offer a variety of services. If you qualify, VR will assist you in your effort to go to work. We need you to help in this effort also. Please be aware that VR could deny your application or close your case (stop services) if you do not follow through with your responsibilities. Following are some of your responsibilities.
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O Keep appointments and stay in contact with your vocational counselor and other team members. It is important that you keep all appointments. If you can't keep an appointment, call ahead to change it.
O Give honest and complete information. Be honest with your counselor and other members of the team. If you do not want to work, tell him/her. Tell the counselor and other team members about your disabilities/abilities, education, jobs and work you like/dislike. Do all you can to help your counselor, especially in getting your medical and other records.
O Tell your VR counselor about changes in your situation. Tell your counselor about changes in your address, phone number, medical condition, not wanting to work or continue with VR or other important changes/decisions in your life. Tell your counselor about changes in your SSI/Social Security check and other changes in your finances. You will need to return equipment/supplies VR has bought if you decide not to work or if your case is closed with you not working.
O How to develop your WORK PLAN and work hard to complete it. You have options available to you to develop your Work Plan. Among these options is the choice for you and /or your representative to develop all or part of the Work Plan. You may do it in any of the following ways:
O Without assistance from a VR counselor; or
O With assistance from either a VR counselor or other qualified VR counselor; or
O Using other resources.
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No one will force you to give us information, but if your VR counselor doesn't have all the information needed, he or she will not be able to do a good job for you. If you lie or do not tell your VR counselor everything he or she needs to know, your counselor may close your case.
You may see or get copies of the information we have developed or purchased for you by asking for it in writing. Medical, psychological or other information which your vr counselor thinks may hurt you may not be given directly to you, but will be given to someone you trust, a doctor or psychologist.
If you believe information in your case file is misleading or inaccurate, you can request the information be amended or removed from your file.
VR protects your privacy by making all information about you confidential. Your case file is kept in a locked place. Generally, the information in your file is kept for 3 years after we close your case.
If you have questions about your right to privacy, please discuss them with your VR counselor.
Authority: Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended-Section 12(C) and Title I, Section 101 (a) 6(A).
Some Things to Keep in Mind
Social Security Benefits
O It is important to know that participation in a vocational rehabilitation program may affect your Social Security Benefits (SSI and SSDI). For example, your benefits may be reduced once you go to work and earn income. More detailed information about how your benefits may be affected by going to work may be obtained by calling your local Social Security office or their toll free number: 1-800-772-1213.
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Protection, Use and Release of Personal Information
Protecting Your Right to Privacy
The Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR) of the Georgia Department of Labor wants you to know why and how we collect, protect, use and release information we have in your file.
Your VR counselor wants to assist you with going to work. To do that, your counselor needs a lot of information about you. He or she will ask for your name, address, birth date, disability and social security number. He or she will ask how much money you have or receive, and about your family's money.
You may be asked to take tests and see doctors or other people who will give your VR counselor information about you and your disability. VR will pay for these visits. Your VR counselor will use all this information to find out if our services can help you. If so, the information will be used by you and your counselor to develop a Work Plan.
Sometimes, in order to provide you with services, your VR counselor may need to share information about you with another person or agency. This would happen if you need to go to another facility or office.
Sometimes other people see information about you because their jobs involve auditing, evaluations or research. For example, the State Vocational Rehabilitation Council analyzes information to learn about the effectiveness of customer satisfaction with rehabilitation services. People who see information about you in these situations must keep that information confidential unless they have your written consent, or the consent of someone you trust.
Someone from a court or police department might ask for information about you. In some circumstances, we must provide the information. For example, we must comply with court orders and investigations for fraud or abuse. Sometimes that information is used to protect you or other people if you are dangerous to yourself or others.
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For the development of your Work Plan, you will be able to receive the following from the Georgia Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Program:
O Information that describes the components that must be included in your Work Plan;
O An explanation of agency requirements for your participation if your financial situation would require you to pay part of the costs of your services;
O Information about available assistance for completing Vocational Rehabilitation Program forms;
O Any other information that may be required to complete your Work Plan;
O A description of your rights to due process; and
O Information about the availability of the Client Assistance Program and how to contact this program should you have difficulty relating to your Work Plan or receiving services through the Vocational Rehabilitation Program of the Georgia Department of Labor.
In order for your Work Plan to begin, your Work Plan must be approved by your VR counselor.
O Do what's in your Work Plan and any amendments (changes) to it. You will receive and should keep a copy of your Work Plan. Follow through with what you agree to do.
O Use other benefits. Money is limited and many Georgians with disabilities need services. Expect VR to pay only what is needed to get you working. You must apply for and use other benefits like insurance, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, Pell Grant, HOPE scholarship, and VA benefits before VR pays for certain services. Also, use your own or any other funds available to you.
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O Get written approval before expecting VR to pay VR won't pay for services, supplies, or equipment unless you first get written approval from your counselor.
The Georgia Client Assistance Program (CAP)
What is the Client Assistance Program?
CAP helps people with disabilities who are seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation services by: O Providing Information about the federal Rehabilitation Act
including: O How the state can help you get, keep or advance in work; O How you qualify; O How you pilot your own rehabilitation; O The purpose of the Rehabilitation Act; and O Your rights under the Act.
O Assisting individuals who have problems applying for or receiving services under the Act.
What Can the Client Assistance Program Do For Me?
If you have a problem with your vocational rehabilitation program or application, CAP can assist in many ways including:
O Advising you of your rights; O Solving communication problems;
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O Teaching you how to make requests; O Referring you to other agencies where helpful; O Negotiating for you; O Mediating disputes; O Advocating for you with the agency and others; O Presenting your request to the agency; and O Obtaining legal representation where appropriate.

How Do I Contact the Client Assistance Program?

You may reach the Client Assistance Program by any of the following:

Statewide toll-free # Atlanta area # Georgia Relay Service # FAX # Web-Site Address E-mail Address: U. S. Mail Address:

800-822-9727 404-373-2040 (voice/TDD) 800-255-0135 404-373-4110 www.theOmbudsman.com/CAP/ gacapdirector@theombudsman.com 123 N. McDonough Street Decatur, Georgia 30030

Your Rights to Due Process Under the Ticket to Work Program

In addition to the services of the Client Assistance Program (1-800-822-9727), clients of Vocational Rehabilitation who have a Ticket to Work through the Social Security Administration have due process rights through the Protection and Advocacy Program. (404-885-1234, TDD 1-800-537-2329). For further information, please refer to the "Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program" brochure that you received from the Social Security Administration.

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