If you have a disability that makes it hard for you to get or keep a job, you may be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). VR services are individualized services provided to people with disabilities for the purpose of helping them transition from school into employment, re-enter the workforce after acquiring a disability, keep the job they already have, or advance in their vocational field. You and your VR counselor will develop an employment goal based on your unique strengths, interests, and capabilities. The VR services that you receive are based on your employment goal.
Some VR services are free for everyone, such as job counseling and guidance, job placement assistance, and benefits counseling to explain how earning wages from work will impact benefits you receive including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), MassHealth, SNAP, subsidized housing, etc.
If you are not an SSI or SSDI recipient then you may be required to help pay for other VR services, such as tools and equipment for self-employment, occupational licenses and certifications, vehicle modifications, or funding for university, community college, and job training.
Most VR cases last 1-3 years, with some lasting much longer. Some individuals meet with their VR counselor once a month, while others only meet with their counselor every few months. It depends on your needs and the types of services you are receiving.
For example, if your goal is to become a massage therapist, then you might receive a different set of VR services than someone whose goal is to become a teacher.
Example VR case
Here is an example of what a VR case might look like:
Pam comes to a new VR counselor looking for help finding a new job. Pam worked for 15 years as a nurse, but after developing severe pain in her back that makes her unable to lift and bend, she could no longer perform her job. Pam now wants an administrative role which would involve less lifting and bending. Together, Pam and her counselor, Jada, write a plan which includes the goal of administrator, and discuss what is required to achieve the goal. First, Jada connects Pam with a community college so she can improve her computer skills. Then, Jada introduces Pam to MassHire and connects her with a job placement specialist, who gives Pam feedback on her resume and provides mock interviews. When Pam gets a job offer, Jada provides three additional months of job counseling before closing the case.