The Temporary Assistance (TA) recipient may need to be served by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), a partner agency in Missouri, to see if s/he needs re-training due to a physical or mental condition that does not meet the criteria for permanent and total disability. After a referral is made to VR, the recipient is case managed by the VR counselor. The counselor completes an evaluation to see if the criteria are met for enrollment in VR services. This “evaluation period” may be of extended duration. Written or verbal verification from the VR counselor must specify the approximate timeframe for evaluation(s) and is updated when changes occur.
For VR evaluation, it is appropriate to enter the recipient in the ‘Assessment’ service for this entire timeframe (up to 30 day increments), unless the VR services meet one of the work activity definitions. If the evaluation meets one of the work activity definitions, the MWA System service can be left open for the evaluation timeframe, but the actual hours in accordance with the activity definitions must be tracked and recorded, and case notes entered.
If the recipient is accepted, VR performs employment and training services applicable to TA requirements. The MWA case manager must keep in close contact with the VR counselor on the recipient’s work requirement progress.
Paid supported work for individuals with disabilities in an integrated setting, are documented through “MWA Attendance Logs”, other hard-copy evidence, or verbal verification with the VR counselor based on information from the supervisor at the work site. Hours of attendance in a paid work activity is best first received from the VR counselor. Contact the employer only after first checking with the VR counselor for verification. A countable hour is equal to a paid hour at the worksite. After documentation is obtained, the hours are entered under the Subsidized Employment-Private or Subsidized Employment-Public service on the Participation Hours Verification or the Mass Participation Hours Verification screen. The documentation is placed in the paper file.