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Rehabilitative services are provided to persons with emotional,
mental, or physical disabilities to help them prepare
for and obtain gainful employment. Services include: |
• evaluations
• school or college
training
• prosthetic
devices and aids such as wheel chairs and walkers
• transportation
• books and other
educational materials
• counseling
• and job placement
VESID assumes that all persons with disabilities
can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services
and should have opportunities for employment in their
communities.
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Income:
There is no income test for eligibility. However, once
eligible, some services will be contingent on income,
including that of a parent or spouse. Recipients of
Social Security: Disability Insurance (DI), Supplemental
Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assitance for Needy
Families (TANF) and Safety Net Assistance (SNA) are
eligible for all VESID services regardless of income and resources.
Services contingent upon income are based on the following
levels which take into account the current income and
assets of the individual, the individual's spouse, and
any other relative upon whom the individual is considered
dependent.
| Family
Living Thresholds |
| Family Unit |
One Wage Earner |
More Than One Wage Earner |
| 1 |
$13,254 |
--- |
| 2 |
$17,484 |
$20,034 |
| 3 |
$21,714 |
$24,264 |
| 4 |
$25,944 |
$28,494 |
| 5 |
$30,174 |
$32,724 |
| 6 |
$34,404 |
$36,954 |
| 7 |
$38,634 |
$41,184 |
| 8 |
$42,864 |
$45,414 |
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Assets:
Some VESID services are provided without regard to assets,
but there is an assets test for some services.
The following services are provided by VESID without considering
a person's financial resources: all diagnostic and evaluation
services, including maintenance and transportation during
evaluation; training at and transportation provided by
approved rehabilitation facilities; special transportation
required by individuals with severe disabilities; reader
and note-taking services; tutoring; attendant services;
interpreter services; vocational counseling, guidance
and referral; job coaching services and other supported
employment services; on-the-job training; work-study training;
cost-effective training at a BOCES, business or trade
school or community college up to $4,815 as described
on p. 5 of this policy; job placement.
The following services may not be provided until available
consumer resources have been applied toward the cost:
all training services, including tuition and related fees
at colleges and universities, with the exception of training
at approved rehabilitation facilities, work-study, on-the-job
training and cost-effective skills training; physical
and mental restoration services; maintenance (except during
evaluation); medical care for acute conditions arising
during the program; transportation (except during evaluation,
special transportation and transportation to attend an
Administrative Review or Fair Hearing); books and related
training materials; occupational tools and equipment;
stocks and supplies for self-employment; occupational
and business licenses; modifications to homes, vehicles
and worksites; telecommunications, sensory and other technological
aids and devices; driver training (except at approved
rehabilitation facilities and regionally accredited adaptive
driver training centers or other driver training providers
if the cost to VESID does not exceed the cost at the regionally
accredited adaptive driver training center closest to
the consumer.); services to other family members; and
all other goods and services not listed as exempt in the
preceding paragraph.
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Age:
Persons must be over 21.
Disability:
A substantial emotional, mental, or physical disability
that interferes with carrying out a job or prevents
the individual from obtaining suitable employment is
the primary criterion for eligibility for VESID. There
should also be a reasonable expectation that the VESID
services will enable the individual to work.
Individuals who are legally blind are served by a separate
agency, the New York State Commission for the Blind
and Visually Impaired. For a list of contacts and local
offices, access this agency’s website at:
http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/cbvh/default.htm
Presence of Spouse:
not a condition.
Presence of Children:
not a condition.
Prior Contribution:
not a condition.
Exhaustion of Benefits From Other
Programs:
VESID will not pay for a service if a similar benefit
is available to the individual through some other agency
or program. For example, if an applicant qualifies for
personal assistance services through Medicaid or another
funding source, the VESID agency will not provide those
services.
Participants receiving SSI, TANF or SNA, will not be
expected to pay for any approved services.
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VESID agency will pay towards the cost of tuition only
after TAP and/or PELL grants have been applied, but
this is not the case for student loans. Student loans,
however, are not similar benefits. A VESID agency cannot
require an individual to take out student loans to pay
tuition expenses. However, a person does not have to
exhaust similar benefits if the application process
for the similar benefit would delay services to an individual
at extreme medical risk; if an immediate job placement
would be lost due to delay in the provision of similar
benefits; or if rehabilitation technology (i.e., assistive
technology devices or mechanical aids that substitute
for or enhance the function of some physical or mental
ability that is impaired. The term assistive technology
encompasses a broad range of devices from "low
tech" (e.g., pencil grips, splints, paper stabilizers)
to "high tech" (e.g., computers, voice synthesizers,
braille readers)) is involved.
Job Search:
Not a requirement. Persons who are currently employed
can be determined eligible for services if they meet
the basic eligibility criteria. Assistance with job
search is one of the benefits offered.
Participation in Work Program:
not a requirement.
School Attendance:
not a requirement.
Citizenship/ Legal Alien Status:
In order to be eligible for VESID, persons who are not
United States citizens must be able to prove that they
are legally allowed to work in the United States as
determined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services.
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Other Eligibility Conditions:
VESID funding is dependent upon the availability of federal
and state funds. When VESID determines that the agency
cannot provide rehabilitation services to all clients
due to insufficient financial resources, not all individuals
who are eligible will receive VESID services. The VESID
program is required to serve individuals with the most
significant disabilities first. This means that individuals
with the most significant disabilities are given a priority
over those with less significant disabilities. This process
is called an "order of selection." Maintaining
Eligibility:
In order to maintain eligibility after being accepted
for services a client must assume certain responsibilities
such as sharing in development of their Individualized
Plan for Employment (IPE) or keeping in touch with a
VESID counselor regarding progress or any problems that
develop.
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Among the benefits offered are:
Sheltered-workshop and on-the-job training
Payments for school or college tuitions,
Personal-adjustment training, and
Books and other training materials
Type:
Services to increase the employability of a person with
mental, physical or emotional disabilities, including:
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• Vocational
assessment to help identify skills, abilities, interests,
possible job goals, and services needed to get a job
and live independently.
• Physical and/or
psychological examination to help understand how a
disability affects the client's ability to work.
• Guidance, counseling, and referral
to help with problems.
• Vocational counseling and career planning.
• Short-term medical intervention to
improve ability to work (if not covered by other insurance).
• Training to learn the skills needed
for a job, including on-the-job programs, job coach
services, college and university programs, trade and
business school programs, personal adjustment programs
and work adjustment programs.
• Transition services.
• Driver evaluation and training.
• Services that may assist during assessment
or training, such as special transportation, attendants,
note takers, interpreters and Reader's Aid for matriculated
college students.
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• Books, tools, and equipment needed
for training or employment.
• Rehabilitation
technology (e.g., communication aids, switches and
environmental controls, computer adaptations and application
software for special education and rehabilitation.
• Telecommunication
aids and adaptive devices needed for rehabilitation.
• Assistance
with some costs of modifications needed for employment,
such as work site modifications, van or other vehicle
modifications, and/or home modifications.
• Training in
job-seeking skills to learn how to fill out a job
application or develop a resumé, handle job
interviews successfully, and develop other job-related
skills
• Occupational
licenses, tools, initial stock, and supplies for a
small business.
• Job placement services to help find
suitable work.
• Follow-up services to make sure the
client likes his/her job and is not having any problems
doing his/her work.
• Referral to
independent living services for peer counseling, advice
on other benefits, housing assistance and training
in independent living skills.
• Assistance
in working with agencies such as the: Social Security
Administration, Department of Social Services, Office
of Mental Health, and the Department of Veteran's
Affairs.
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Services to Children With Disabilities:
VESID administers 15 Early Childhood Direction Centers
that help families with children with disabilities birth
to age 5 find programs and services for their disabled
child. VESID also oversees special education services
for students in public and private schools. This provides
a continuum of services that is able to eliminate anxiety
and duplication thereby benefiting both the individual
and society.
Independent Living Services:
VESID administers 42Independent Living Centers across
New York State. Independent Living Centers are private,
community-based, consumer managed, nonresidential organizations
that assist individuals with disabilities to live more
independently in their communities.
Level:
If a financially-eligible client still has a financial
obligation after receipt of all other aid, VESID will
provide a maximum of $825 per semester for tuition,
$250 per semester on books.
The maximum allowable cost for which VESID will assume
responsibility for tuition, books and fees is $4,815.
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Depending upon the applicant’s financial
resources, VESID may expect him/her to share the expenses
(based on State standards) of some of the following services,
that VESID provides: educational and vocational training
that will help the person with a disability learn the
skills to do a job (e.g. college, trade school or nurses
aide); support services during training, transportation
to and from training, textbooks, tools and equipment;
sign language interpreters and reader services; home,
vehicle and work site modifications or attendant services;
physical and mental restoration medical services not covered
by other insurance that may be needed before work (e.g.:
hearing aids, scooter); rehabilitation technology technological
aids and devices (e.g. transfer board, hand controls and
remote control door opener); Job Coach, i.e., someone
who will assist in learning a job after work begins; and
post employment assistance in keeping the job, in getting
a new job or in advancing on the job.
Change in Recipient Status:
Clients who cease to be disabled are no longer eligible
for services.
Changes in Benefit Levels:
Benefits are provided on the basis of the Individualized
Written Rehabilitation Plan and/or changes in agency policies
and procedures. Policies are changed on the federal level
by Act of Congress and signature of the President and
on the New York State level by the legislature and signature
of the Governor.
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Where and How to Apply:
at the nearest district office. For the nearest district
office, access the VESID website at http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/do/locations.htm.
Hempstead District Office:
516-483-6510;
Manhattan District Office:
212-630-2300;
Harlem Satellite Office 212-961-4420
Hauppauge District Office:
631-952-6357.
Riverhead Satellite Office 631-727-6496
For more information telephone 1-800-222-5627, email
vesidadm@mail.nysed.gov or write:
New York State Education Department
Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals
with Disabilities
Special Education Services
One Commerce Plaza, Room 1624
Albany, New York 12234
Eligibility will be determined as soon as there is
sufficient information to decide that the person meets
or does not meet the requirements for eligibility. Once
sufficient information has been obtained, a determination
of eligibility must be made within 60 calendar days
after the individual has applied for services, unless
there are exceptional circumstances or a trial work
experience or extended evaluation is necessary.
When eligibility cannot be determined within 60 days
for exceptional and unforeseen circumstances beyond
VESID's control, VESID staff must reach an agreement
with the applicant to extend the 60-day time limit.
Early Childhood Direction Center Locations:
For a listing of the Early Childhood Direction Center
locations and other information, access the VESID web
site: http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/lsn/ecdc/home.htm
Independent Living Services: The location
of the nearest Independent Living Center can be found
in the VESID Directory of Independent Living Centers
on the web site: http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/lsn/ilc.htm
Financing:
Federal - 84.9%
State - 0.8%
Special Revenue - 14.3%
Types of Taxes:
Federal general revenues, 86% of which are derived from
individual and corporate income taxes.
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Administration:
Federal:
Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department
of Education.
State:
New York State Education Department, Office of Vocational
and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
and its 15 area offices around the state.
Procedures for Appeal:
If the client feels that a decision made about his/her
eligibility or program is not correct, he/she may ask
VESID to reconsider it. THe client should request a
due process review within 90 calendar days after being
informed of the action/decision. If, after this reconsideration,
the client is still dissatisfied, he/she may ask for
a first administrative review by an area office manager.
The next step is to request a second administrative
review by the regional director or the Assistant Commissioner
for Vocational Rehabilitation. If still dissatisfied,
the client may request a Fair Hearing by an impartial
hearing officer. The hearing officer makes a recommendation
to the Deputy Commissioner for Vocational Rehabilitation,
who issues the decision. If still not satisfied, the
client may take the case to the courts or the Secretary
of Education.
To file an appeal, contact the Policy Unit of the State
Education Department's Office of Vocational and Educational
Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) (518)
473-2878, or initiate an appeal to the Commissioner
of Education; information about appeals to the Commissioner
may be obtained from the Appeals Coordinator, Office
of Counsel, State Education Department, Albany, NY 12234.
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