02 Referral/Applicant Status

02-03-01 Policy Statement

Prior to determining that an applicant is incapable of benefiting from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome because of the severity of the disability, the counselor must conduct an exploration of the individual's abilities, capabilities and capacity to perform in realistic work situations to determine whether or not there is clear and convincing evidence to support a determination of ineligibility. This assessment is done through Trial Work Experiences.

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02-03-02 Definition

Trial Work Experiences are placements within a realistic work setting which allow for exploration and assessment of the participant's abilities, capabilities and capacity to perform in work situations. Possible examples of TWE placements include structured volunteer work, situational work assessments with proper supports, supported employment, on-the-job training, internships, job shadowing and other experiences using realistic work settings. Trial Work Experiences must be of sufficient variety and over a sufficient period of time for the counselor to make an eligibility determination.

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02-03-03 Requirements

1. Are provided only to applicants with a significant disability or most significant disability in situations when the counselor is unable to determine if he or she can benefit from VR services in terms of an employment outcome. The provision of trial work experiences will enable the counselor to make such a determination.

2. Must be set in the most integrated settings possible, consistent with informed choice and the rehabilitation needs of the applicant.

3. Must allow for appropriate supports to accommodate the rehabilitation needs of the applicant during the trial work experiences.

4. Shall include VR services, including support services, necessary to determine the participant's ability to benefit from VR services in terms of an employment outcome.

5. Shall include, to the degree needed, an appraisal of the applicant's work behaviors and identification of services required to acquire work skills and to develop work attitudes, work habits, work tolerance and social and behavior patterns necessary for successful job performance, including the utilization of work in real job situations to assess and develop the capacities of the participant.

6. During the TWE, the participant is exempt from the determination of comparable benefits and services. Comparable services and benefits can be utilized voluntarily by the applicant but use of these services and benefits cannot be mandated by DVR during the assessment period.

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02-03-04 Procedures

Prior to the expiration of the allowed 60 days in applicant Status and upon determination that Trial Work Experiences are required, the counselor should:

1. Complete Section 1 of the Eligibility Determination Datapage to include the disability priority and rationale (TWE is only an option for SD or MSD participants). After completing this section, close the Eligibility Determination Datapage - do not continue to complete other sections of the Eligibility Determination Datapage. The remainder of the Eligibility Determination Datapage is done if determined eligible for VR services. Completing the disability priority coding at this time allows for accurate reporting of TWE related information and assures TWE is being utilized for SD or MSD participants as required.

2. Discuss with the participant the reasons for trial work experiences.

3. Jointly develop a PLAN with the participant by completing the Trial Work Experiences datapage in AWARE. Within the plan, adequately describe the rationale for requiring TWE, identify the employment setting or potential employment settings if site not yet determined and the services identified to assess the applicant's ability to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services.

4. Apply the financial needs test for non-assessment services provided through the TWE plan, i.e. child care, transportation, clothing, etc. The financial needs test is not to be applied to services directly related to assessment of the participant's abilities to work, i.e. restoration services, job placement/coaching; OJT associated costs, etc.

5. Obtain necessary approval from Area Program Manager.

6. Obtain participant's signature on the plan and initiate the provision of services as soon as possible.

7. Review the TWE plan monthly utilizing AWARE Plan Review datapage to document progress. The counselor should make clear what the critical case questions are pertaining to Eligibility and terminate this phase of service provision as soon as it is determined that the questions have been answered.

   Note: For the purpose of TWE, the counselor must possess evidence that the participant is significantly disabled or most significantly disabled. The intent of this activity is to assess whether the participant can benefit from VR services in terms of an achieving an employment outcome.

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02-03-05 AWARE Documentation

1. The counselor must complete Section 1 of the Eligibility Determination Datapage to include disability priority and rationale.

2. Complete the Trial Work Experience Plan datapage in AWARE providing a description of the purpose of the plan, identifying the employment setting if identified at time of plan development and primary support services required and documenting the criteria for evaluating the participant's progress.

3. As appropriate, the Trial Work Experiences Plan must be submitted to the Area Program Manager for approval.

   • Following approval by the Area Program Manager, the Trial Work Experiences period takes effect once the start date is entered on the TWE Plan datapage in AWARE.

   • Signatures of the counselor, participant or participant's representative, as appropriate, should be obtained.One copy of the plan is retained for the case file and the other is provided to the participant. Once all signatures are obtained, planned services can be initiated.

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02-03-06 Advancing from Trial Work Experience

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