Limits, Nature and Scope of Services

Synopsis of Federal Regulations

The provision of services is based on the rehabilitation needs of each individual as identified in that individual's Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and is consistent with the individual’s informed choice. Arbitrary limits on the nature and scope of vocational rehabilitation services to be provided to the individual to achieve an employment outcome may not be established.

Reference: §361.50

Rehabilitation Services (RS) Policy

Services shall be provided in the most cost-effective manner in order to prepare the client for employment that is consistent with his or her strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice.

Out-of-state and private services:

• RS has established a preference for in-state services, provided that the preference does not effectively deny the client a necessary service. If the client chooses an out-of-state service at a higher cost than an in-state service, if either service would meet the client’s rehabilitation needs, RS is not responsible for those costs in excess of the cost of the in-state service.
• Approval is required for out-of-state services funded by RS. Each RS Program Administrator will establish a procedure for routing such exception requests through the RS Managers, RS Program Administrator or both. Approval must be given before including such services on the IPE. See Section 1 / Part 13, Miscellaneous administrative issues and Section 8 / Part 33 for a comparative analysis worksheet.
• See Section 3, Part 17 for more information on training.

Duration of services: The duration of each service needed by an individual must be determined on an individual basis and reflected in that individual's IPE.

Effective Date: April 10, 2006