Vocational Rehabilitation Services in MN

The federal Rehabilitation Act says that many kinds of vocational rehabilitation services may be provided to help people with disabilities find and keep a job.

In Minnesota there are 2 programs that provide vocational rehabilitation services.

• Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) serves people with physical and/or mental disabilities

• State Services for the Blind (SSB) serves people who are blind or visually-impaired

If you want rehabilitation services to help you find, get or keep a job, you have to apply. The application process is different depending on which program you are applying to.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)
You have to call or go to your local VRS office. If you don’t know where the nearest office is, call the main VRS office in St. Paul. They can tell you where your nearest office is and give you a phone number.  

The main VRS Office in St. Paul:

• Metro Twin Cities Voice 651-259-7366
• Toll Free Voice: 1 (800) 328-9095

You can also find your office online at: https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/disabilities/find-vrs/.

For more information see our fact sheet Can I Get Services from VRS?

State Services for the Blind (SSB)
To get information about SSB or to get an application, call:

• Metro Area Voice: (651) 539-2300
• Toll Free Voice: 1(800) 652-9000

Ask to speak with someone in the Workforce Development Unit.

You can also use the online information request at: https://mn.gov/deed/ssb/about/contact/locations/ssbinfoform.jsp.

For more information on SSB see our fact sheet Can I Get Services from SSB?

With both VRS and SSB you have the right to appeal a decision you are not happy with. There is an appeals process.

See our fact sheets:    
Appeals to VRS
Appeals to SSB

After VRS or SSB decides you are eligible for services, you and your rehabilitation counselor write an employment plan. The Employment Plan (EP) sets out your employment goals and what services and equipment you need to reach your goals.

See our fact sheet Employment Plans.

VRS and SSB can’t give you services until the EP is done and approved by you and your rehabilitation counselor.

In general, VRS and SSB only have to provide services and equipment that you need to get a job and reach your employment goal as it is written out in your EP.  

The following services are funded if they are necessary for you to get or keep a job. Your Employment Plan will probably include one or more of these services if they are not available through other resources: 

• assessment to determine eligibility and/or need for services
   
• vocational counseling, guidance, and referral services
   
• treatment to correct an impairment so that you can work. The treatment can’t be funded by other resources. This could be things like prosthetic devices, eyeglasses or mental health treatment not paid for by other funding
   
• vocational and training services, including tuition, fees, books, and materials
   
• funding for extra living costs that come up while you are taking part in the vocational rehabilitation program
   
• transportation, in connection with any vocational rehabilitation service
   
• services to family members, as needed, to help you get and keep a job
   
• interpreter services for deaf or deaf-blind, reader services, and orientation and mobility services
   
• job placement and job coaching services
   
• ongoing support services like job coaching, on-the-job training or other things you need to keep you at work
   
• personal assistance services
   
• help during your employment so you can keep the job or help to regain a job
   
• occupational licenses, tools, equipment, initial stocks and supplies
   
• rehabilitation technology, including vehicle modifications, telecommunications and sensory devices
   
• services to help students with disabilities get from school to work
   
• technical assistance and consultation services for self-employment or small business development

If you are a client or an applicant of VRS or SSB, you can call the Client Assistance Project (CAP) for help if you have questions, concerns, or complaints about your vocational rehabilitation services. CAP does not provide direct vocational rehabilitation services, such as education, training or equipment. See our fact sheet Client Assistance Project (CAP).

CAP is part of the MN Disability Law Center (MDLC). For more information about CAP or to apply for CAP services, call:

• (612) 334-5970 (metro area)
• 1-800-292-4150 (statewide)