If you are
eligible for DORS employment services, your counselor will work with you to help figure out your employment goals and what services you will need to reach these goals.
What will happen next?
You will hear from your
DORS counselor within 60 days letting you know if you are eligible for
DORS services and what your category of eligibility is (e.g.,
"significant" or "most significant" disability).
DORS staff will help you figure out your options and
the pros and cons of each option to help you make decisions about how
best to reach your goals. This is called "Informed Choice" and it is your right under federal law.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring
medical records about your disability, school records (including most
recent psychological testing, Individual Education Program, etc.), or
job training records, and a list of the places and dates of the jobs you
have had.
Employment Services can include:
- Career counseling
- Career assessment
- College or career training*
- Work-readiness training
- Assistive technology
- Job placement
- Job coaching
- Other support services
Who pays for DORS services?
Most DORS employment services, such as career guidance and counseling, skills
testing and job placement, are provided at no cost to you. There is no
cost to you or your family for
Pre-Employment Transition Services for students.
You and your family may be asked to help pay for some services
according to a sliding scale based on family income. Your DORS counselor
will give you more information about who pays for services and help
look for other sources of funding.
Due to funding limitations, DORS can only pay for the least
expensive services or goods that will meet your needs. If you decide you
want more expensive services or goods that cost more than DORS is
allowed to pay, you will need to pay the difference.
If you receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI/SSDI), your
DORS services will be provided at no cost to you, unless you choose a
more costly service than DORS can provide.
* There is a separate financial policy for college or university training.
What happens after I find a job?
Your DORS counselor follows up to make sure you are successful on your job.
If you like, DORS can also work with you and your employer to help you to adjust to any changes in the workplace.
When you have been at work successfully for 90 days, DORS will close your case.
If you think that you might need some things after your case has
been closed, you can contact your DORS counselor to see what we can do.
These are called "post-employment services."
If there is any change in your disability or your job, and you think you need DORS services again, you may re-apply.
