SECTION 612:10-7-24.2. Assessment for determining eligibility

(a)   To determine whether an individual is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services:

(1)   the counselor will use to the maximum extent possible and appropriate existing data including counselor observations, education records, information provided by the individual or the individual's family, and determinations made by officials of other agencies; and

(2)   to the extent necessary provide appropriate assessments, including provision of goods and services during the assessment, to obtain additional documentation necessary to make the determination of eligibility and priority group assignment. The counselor will carefully evaluate the need to provide assistive technology devices and services or worksite assessments.

(b)   The counselor will determine whether an individual is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 60 days after the individual has submitted an application for services. This time period may be extended only when unforeseen and exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the Department preclude completing the determination of eligibility within the 60 days and the individual agrees a specific extension of time is warranted as documented on the Need for Extension of Time to Determine Eligibility form; or a trial work period or an extended evaluation is needed to determine the individual's ability to benefit from VR services.

(c)   Documentation that the individual has a disability which constitutes or results in an impediment to employment must come from qualified professionals.

(d)   Eligibility determinations will be expedited for applicants who have been determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services by an American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) Program. Counselors will work cooperatively with the applicable American Indian VR Program to obtain pertinent diagnostic and other documentation, and utilize such documentation, as appropriate, in making eligibility decisions that are prompt or, whenever feasible, immediate.

(e)   A qualified rehabilitation professional may proceed with a determination of eligibility if there is an obvious and/or observable disability that results in an impediment to employment. The VR specialist will document observations pertaining to the applicant's disability. After making the determination of eligibility the VR specialist may authorize any assessments and services necessary to further document eligibility, establish priority group placement and determine rehabilitation needs for development of the Individualized Plan for Employment.

(f)   Diagnosis and evaluation are to be provided only for determination of eligibility for VR services, priority group placement, and determination of VR service needs. DVR and DVS funds are not to be used to assist an individual in establishing eligibility for other programs.

(g)   When necessary, diagnostic evaluations may be purchased at any time during the life of the case.

(h)   If an individual is determined eligible, the VR counselor will notify the individual in writing. If the individual is determined to be ineligible, the counselor will notify the applicant and provide information on further options in accordance with DRS policy on ineligibility decisions.

(i)   Eligibility for supported employment. The counselor may not find an individual ineligible for supported employment services because a resource for providing extended services cannot be identified. In this instance, the counselor will:

(1)   accept the individual as eligible for VR services;

(2)   plan VR services as appropriate, including the expected availability of extended services; and

(3)   seek out and/or help in developing the needed extended services resource.

[Source: Added at 28 Ok Reg 1832, eff 7-1-11; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 1278, eff 8-27-15; Amended at 34 Ok Reg 1994, eff 9-11-17]