A. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal/state program that helps people with disabilities to enter, maintain, or return to employment. Our charge is to help those people achieve and maintain meaningful careers.

A. If you have a physical or mental impairment that makes it difficult for you to find or keep a job and you need our services to do so, you may be eligible. We will determine eligibility based on medical and/or psychological records, along with an assessment of how your disability affects your ability to work. A person who receives Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Insurance benefits (SSI) as a result of disability or blindness is presumed to be eligible, if that person intends to enter employment.

A. Services are provided based on the person’s abilities, interests, and informed choice and may include training, medical or psychological treatment that would increase the individual’s ability to work, rehabilitation technology, job placement and follow-up, and post-employment services. All clients receive counseling and guidance as an integral part of their services to help the person reach his or her employment potential.

A. All VR services are provided for the purpose of preparing a person to enter employment, return to employment, or maintain employment.

A. A VR counselor would put you in touch with a benefits specialist who can help you find out what you need to know about your SSDI or SSI benefits and can help you make work pay.

A. You may find the contact information for your local VR office by looking in the government listings in your telephone book under Tennessee State Government, Human Services Department, Rehabilitation Services. If you need assistance locating the nearest office, you may contact the Nashville administrative office of the Division of Rehabilitation Services at (615) 313-4891.

A. VR must consider not only the disability (diagnosis), but also the limitations that the individual experiences, as a result of the disability, that would have an impact on the ability to enter or

A. A person who receives Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Insurance benefits (SSI) as a result of disability or blindness is presumed to be eligible and at least Priority Category 2, if he or she intends to enter employment. These VR clients are considered to have a serious limitation in work skills, and if they meet the requirements for one of the other limitations (mobility, communication, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance), they will be in Priority Category 1. They do not have to meet the requirement of needing multiple services over at least a 6-month time period.

A. Any time that your disability and limitations get worse, you should contact your VR counselor and ask for a re-evaluation. Also, if further medical or psychological documentation becomes available, you should send it to your VR counselor and ask for re-evaluation of your priority category.