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  • Benefits of Partnership Plus
  • What is Partnership Plus and How Does it Work?
  • Common Partnership Plus Models
• Agency Decision-Making
• Ticket and the VR Process
  • Cost Reimbursement, Ticket, and the VR Process
  • Changes in Administrative Procedures
  • Outreach
  • Application
  • Plan Development
  • Case Closure
  • Facilitating Informed Choice for Beneficiaries
• Partnerships: The Key to it All
  • Interagency Agreements
  • Does Partnership Plus Require a Referral Agreement?
  • VR and an EN Partnering as a Single EN
  • Partnership Plus and Incentive Payments
  • Partnership Plus and Post-Employment Services
  • Partnership Plus and Supported Employment Services
  • VR’s Role in Developing Partnerships
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Agency Decision-Making

There are many factors that a State VR agency might take in to consideration when deciding whether to serve beneficiaries solely under the CR program or the Ticket program, or making a decision on a case-by-case basis whether to serve a beneficiary under CR or the Ticket program.

Things to Consider When Choosing Between Cost Reimbursement and Functioning as an Employment Network

The first and foremost consideration should be the needs of the beneficiary. If the beneficiary will likely succeed in entering the workforce and maintaining employment with the assistance that is available through VR, then the Partnership Plus option may not be of real benefit to the beneficiary. However, many beneficiaries will need additional assistance in order to maintain employment and increase their earnings after VR case closure. For these beneficiaries, choosing CR and taking advantage of the Partnership Plus option may be the best way to increase the likelihood that the beneficiary will maintain and advance in employment.

In most states, State VR agencies are initially planning to serve all beneficiaries under CR. A number of things may be considered when trying to decide between serving beneficiaries under CR and the Ticket program.

• Administrative Considerations
• Staffing Consideration
• Considerations Related to Beneficiary Outcomes
• Considerations Related to your Agency’s Programmatic Strengths
• Considerations Related to an Order of Selection
• Other Important Considerations

To view a chart that lays out the various roles that a State VR agency and an EN would assume depending on whether VR is serving beneficiaries under CR or as an EN, view our Comparison of Roles.

Administrative Considerations:

• How effective is the VR agency’s administrative process for tracking earnings after VR case closure?
• Is the agency’s CR process automated?
• Does the VR agency have goals and targets for program income from CR?

Staffing Considerations:

• Do VR Counselors have knowledge and an understanding of the Ticket program and VR’s critical role in affording beneficiaries opportunities to exercise informed choice as they seek to enter or re-enter the workforce.
• Do VR Counselors have access to orientation and training on the SSI and SSDI programs, on Work Incentives, and on the Ticket program? Is this information used routinely to promote consumer choice?
• Are VR Counselors able to advise beneficiaries on the basics about the Ticket program and the options they have for using their Tickets?
• Are easily understandable materials on the Ticket program, Work Incentives, and benefits planning available to VR staff that serve beneficiaries, or to beneficiaries themselves?

Considerations Related to Beneficiary Outcomes

VR’s past challenges and successes in serving beneficiaries should be considered in deciding whether to go completely CR, or make a choice between CR and functioning as an EN on a case by case basis. Over a number of years, look at trends and outcomes such as:

• How many/what percentage of all VR customers were SSI/SSDI beneficiaries?
• What is the rehabilitation rate for SSI and SSDI customers, as a combined category and as two separate categories?
• What percentage of beneficiaries is placed in part-time employment and never attained full-time employment?
• How many/what percentage of the SSI/SSDI customers exited VR in employment and eventually attained work and earnings to qualify for a CR claim?
• How many/what percentage of SSI/SSDI customers exited VR not in employment, later found employment and attained work and earnings to qualify for a CR claim?
• How many/what percentage of SSI and SSDI customers exited VR earning at or above the Trial Work level ($620 in 2006, $640 in 2007, $670 in 2008; and $700 in 2009)?
• How many/what percentage of SSI and SSDI customers exited VR earning at or above the applicable SGA level?
• How many/what percentage of SSI/SSDI customers exited VR working in a Supported Employment setting?
• How many/what percentage of SSI/SSDI customers is likely to require post-employment services?
• How many/what percentage of SSI/SSDI customers re-apply for VR services after their VR cases are closed successfully/unsuccessfully?

Considerations Related to Your Agency’s Programmatic Strengths

Existing initiatives and/or partnerships designed to assist SSI and SSDI beneficiaries in maintaining employment and increasing earnings over time are also important considerations when deciding between CR and functioning as an EN. For example:

• Does your agency have programs to provide follow-up after VR case closure?
• Does your agency have programs for specific populations (e.g., different types of disabilities, transition-age youth, wounded warriors, TANF recipients, etc.) that include significant numbers of SSI and SSDI recipients?
• Has your agency partnered with other agencies/programs to improve employment outcomes for populations that include SSI and SSDI recipients (e.g., TANF recipients, transition-age youth, wounded warriors, etc.)?
• What strategies could your agency develop and implement to increase the number and percentage of SSI/SSDI customers who achieve employment at levels that could result in more successful CR claims?
• What strategies is your agency using to increase the levels of earnings, vocational advancement, and duration of employment for all VR consumers?
• What strategies might your agency utilized to assist customers who have difficulty maintaining periods of employment or who have episodic disabilities?
• What partners could be most helpful in providing on–going services and supports after job placement?
• What approaches could be developed to assist customers who are under-employed?  Who are the likely partners?
• What strategies could assist young adults to advance in occupations and increase their earnings once in the workforce? Who are the likely partners?

Considerations Related to an Order of Selection

Each year for the last several years, around 40 State VR agencies have found it necessary to implement an Order of Selection (OOS). Some of the same considerations that went in to deciding whether to implement an OOS would also be important considerations in deciding between serving beneficiaries under CR or as an EN. For example:

• Is your agency able to serve everyone that is determined eligible for services?
• If not able to serve everyone, is your agency implementing an OOS?
• If the agency has an OOS,
  1. Do most SSI and SSDI customers meet the State’s definition of “most significantly disabled” (MSD)?
  2. Does the agency have a list of eligible individuals who are waiting to be served?
  3. What is the average time that people on this list must wait to receive services?
  4. How many SSI/SSDI customers have been placed on a waiting list?
  5. What are the characteristics of the SSI/SSDI customers on the waiting list (e.g., age, disabilities, education, work history, etc.)?
  6. What other options are these customers using to secure needed services and supports?
  7. Could referral to an approved EN benefit SSI and SSDI beneficiaries who are not being served by a State VR agency?

To get an idea of trends, you may want to look at this information over a period of a few years.

Other Important Considerations

Many State VR agencies have made access to benefits planning services a key component of the services they provide to beneficiaries with disabilities. Because of the impact that work and earnings can have on a beneficiary’s ongoing access to disability benefits, access to benefits planning assistance should be a consideration in looking at how your VR agency will meet the needs of beneficiaries with disabilities, including: 

• How often do beneficiaries access and utilize benefits counseling?
• Does the VR agency connect beneficiaries with the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program and other sources of benefits planning services?
• How easy is it for beneficiaries to access benefits counseling?
• Is the capacity to provide benefits counseling adequate within and throughout the state?