The Vocational Rehabilitation program provides a variety of services to persons with disabilities, with the ultimate goal to prepare for, enter into, or retain employment.

You may be eligible for VR services if you meet all of the following requirements:

You have a physical or mental impairment;

Your physical or mental impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment;

You require VR services in order to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment; an

You can benefit from the provision of VR services in terms of achieving an employment outcome.

Due to limited state funding, individuals determined eligible for the vocational rehabilitation program may be placed on a waitlist for services. The waitlist is designed to ensure that individuals who are most in need of vocational rehabilitation are able to receive VR services in a timely manner.

The VR&E process is designed to assist Veterans with service-connected disabilities to obtain suitable employment and/or achieve independent living goals. It is comprised of several phases, involving tasks for both VR&E staff and Veterans to complete. Here is a general outline of the phases and tasks. (NOTE: The outline below does not represent and/or detail all possible required tasks as it is intended to only be a summary.) For more information on the VR&E process, please contact your local VA Regional Office.

Applications (via eBenefits or 28-1900) to be submitted, received, and reviewed

Veterans’ eligibility will be established

Veterans are scheduled for initial counseling appointments, if eligible

Letters of eligibility will be sent to Veterans

An application for VR services starts with a referral.

Select one of the following methods for completing a referral:

Call or visit the Vocational Rehabilitation office nearest to you and inquire about VR services or set up an appointment. VR staff will collect personal information from you and complete an RSA Referral form on your behalf.

or

Complete one of the following referral forms and submit it to RSA by emailing azrsa@azdes.gov.

Referral Form (Fillable)

Referral Form (Large Print)

Once your referral is received, it will be sent to a local field office and a VR staff member will contact you to set up an appointment.

It is advisable to seek out the nearest coordinator location to initiate the process. But, some locations will accept applications for eligibilty from veterans in other locations depending on the particular services.

Regional Coordinator List

Applications (via eBenefits or 28-1900) to be submitted, received, and reviewed

Veterans’ eligibility will be established

Veterans are scheduled for initial counseling appointments, if eligible

Letters of eligibility will be sent to Veterans

Veterans participate in a VR&E orientation session (see Letter of Eligibility for date, time, and location information)

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC) will meet with Veterans one-on-one

Discussion and determinations to occur on employment handicap and serious employment handicap (VR&E entitlement criteria)

Vocational evaluations are conducted to assess skills, abilities, and interests

VRCs and Veterans work together to identify the most appropriate track of services, involving employment and/or independent living objectives after feasibility for employment is discussed and determined

A vocational or independent living goal is established

Services needed are defined

A written plan of services will be developed.

Re-Employment

Rapid Access to Employment

Self Employment (monitoring for 1 year minimum)

Employment Through Long-Term Services

Independent Living (24-month maximum with a possible six-month extension if approved by the VR&E Officer)

On-going case management to occur (maximum of 18 months)

Employment services to be provided

eBenefits Employment Center

Resume development

Interview skills

Job placement assistance

Referral to DOL

Suitable employment is obtained and maintained for at least 60-days, OR

Independent living skills have improved

Now that the veteran has been released, there are several benefits and programs available for the formerly incarcerated. Unfortunately, some of these benefits are not available to the formerly incarcerated and may be denied.

Many of the programs offered by the VA are also offered by Community Programs, especially for the recently released veteran and may be worth the effort instead. The veteran is not obligated to apply for VA Benefits and might want to bypass the frustration.

Be sure to look at the different VA Voc. Rehab. programs. Applying to a Voc Rehab at one VA may have different guidelines at another; especially with the amount of online educational programs now available. Be sure to check with the local Veteran Service Officer for additional information.

Please be aware some of the links are also listed under employment as well.