Connecticut Administrative Code › Title 17b - Social Services › 653 - Bureau of Rehabilitation Services › Section 17b-653-8 - Eligibility/ineligibility

Current through July 10, 2024
Upon application to the bureau, an applicant shall be evaluated by the bureau and, pursuant to the criteria and procedures established by sections 17b-653-1 to 17b-653-24, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, shall be certified as either eligible or ineligible for vocational rehabilitation services.
(a)
Assessment for Determining Eligibility and Priority for Services
(1) For the purpose of determining whether an applicant is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services and assigning the individual's priority under an order of selection, the bureau shall provide an assessment for eligibility and priority for services which shall include a review of existing data and a preliminary review of any additional data needed to make such determinations.
(2) The determination of the applicant's eligibility shall be based only on the following criteria:
(A) a determination that the applicant is an individual with a disability, as defined in section 17b-653-2(b)(22); and
(B) a determination that the applicant requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment.
(3) It shall be presumed that an individual can benefit in terms of an employment outcome with respect to section 17b-653-2(b)(22)(B), unless the bureau determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that the individual is incapable of benefiting from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome due to the severity of the individual's disability. In making such a determination, the bureau shall explore the individual's abilities, capabilities and capacities to perform in work situations through the use of trial work experiences, except under limited circumstances when an individual cannot take advantage of such experiences.
(4) If the individual has a disability under Title II or Title XVI of the Social Security Act, the bureau will presume that,
(A) the applicant is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services (provided that the individual intends to achieve an employment outcome consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice of the individual), unless the bureau determines by clear and convincing evidence that the applicant is incapable of benefiting in terms of an employment outcome from vocational rehabilitation services due to the severity of the disability, and
(B) the individual has a significant disability, in accordance with the definition of that term in section 17b-653-2(b)(24).
(5) The bureau shall make the determination whether the individual is eligible within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 60 days after the individual has submitted an application, unless:
(A) exceptional and unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the bureau preclude making an eligibility determination within 60 days and the bureau and individual agree to a specific extension of time, or
(B) the bureau is exploring an individual's abilities, capabilities and capacity to perform in work situations under subsection (a)(3) of this section.