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Introduction

Counselors have several responsibilities to carry out during the application process. These include:

• Gathering enough information about the applicant to determine eligibility;
• Explaining the services and the rehabilitation process to the applicant and answer any questions he might have about it;
• Informing the applicant of his rights and responsibilities and the Client Assistance Program;
• Exploring with the applicant his or her strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and choices;
• Assessing the applicant’s needs;
• Determining eligibility or an appropriate alternative (extending eligibility determination or pursuing trial work experiences);
• Beginning to plan the rehabilitation process with the applicant; and
• Discussing additional resources available from other sources, as appropriate.

Use this opportunity to continue counseling the applicant on positive attitudes toward blindness and to explain that vocational rehabilitation services are provided for the sole purpose of helping the applicant get a job or become a successful homemaker.

Some new referrals are not initially interested in services. If you believe they would benefit from obtaining employment or from independent living services, make a reasonable effort to persuade and motivate them. Skillful counseling on issues such as Social Security work incentives and a positive philosophy of blindness can be very effective.

Application Process

During the initial interview with the referred individual, the VR counselor discussed services and obtained information from the individual regarding his or her strengths, resources, priorities, abilities, interests, etc. If the counselor and referred individual decided that the Department’s services will be beneficial, the counselor will work with the individual to complete a VR application for services. The counselor will also be responsible for gathering information to determine eligibility and vocational planning.

The application process involves these three phases:

1. Completing the application with the client.

2. Gathering and interpreting information for eligibility determination and vocational planning.

3. Determining and recording eligibility.

The application process is not considered complete until you have performed all steps and submitted paperwork associated with each phase.