22VAC30-20-170: Availability of comparable services and benefits

A. Prior to providing any vocational rehabilitation services to an eligible individual or to members of the individual's family, except those services listed in subsection D of this section, the department shall determine whether comparable services and benefits as defined in 22VAC30-20-10 exist under any other program and whether those services and benefits are available to the individual.

B. If comparable services or benefits exist under any other program and are available to the eligible individual at the time needed to achieve the rehabilitation objectives in the individual's individualized plan for employment, the department shall use those comparable services or benefits to meet, in whole or in part, the cost of vocational rehabilitation services.

C. If comparable services or benefits exist under any other program but are not available to the individual at the time needed to ensure the progress of the individual toward achieving the employment outcome in the individual's individualized plan for employment, the department shall provide vocational rehabilitation services until those comparable services and benefits become available.

D. The following services shall be exempt from a determination of the availability of comparable services and benefits under subsection A of this section: assessment for determining eligibility and priority for services; assessment for determining vocational rehabilitation needs; vocational rehabilitation counseling, guidance, and referral services; job-related services, including job search and placement services; job retention services; follow-up services; rehabilitation technology; and post-employment services consisting of those services listed in this subsection.

E. The requirements of subsection A of this section shall not apply if the determination of the availability of comparable services and benefits under any other program would interrupt or delay (i) the progress of the individual toward achieving the employment outcome identified in the individualized plan for employment; (ii) an immediate job placement; or (iii) the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to any individual who is determined to be at extreme medical risk based on medical evidence provided by an appropriate qualified medical professional.