What You Should Know About Vocational Rehabilitation
Workers’ Compensation covers your medical bills if you suffer a work-related injury or illness. Your Workers’ Compensation benefits also include vocational rehabilitation. Understand this important benefit as you recover and prepare to return to work.
What is Vocational Rehab?
If your Workers’ Compensation doctor determines that you cannot return to your previous job, you will be eligible for vocational rehab. It offers you an alternative to permanent disability or unemployment.
Your vocational rehab benefits typically include:
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Job site training or retraining
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Education, including tuition reimbursement
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Resume completion
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Job searches
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Job application assistance
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Interview coaching
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Transferable skills analysis and testing
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Wage assessment evaluations
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations
You may receive these valuable benefits from your current employer or a vocational rehabilitation counselor. Use the benefits to pursue a different job with your current employer or embark on a new career.
What is your Responsibility to Receive Vocational Rehab?
To receive your vocational rehabilitation benefits, you must cooperate with your Workers’ Compensation insurance requirements. That includes filing for benefits within a certain time frame and cooperating with your employer, insurance company and vocational rehab counselor.
How Long do Vocational Rehab Benefits Last?
In general, vocational rehab benefits last for two years. Use the opportunity to gain the training you need for a new job or career that matches your permanent work restrictions.
Can you Receive Multiple Workers’ Compensation Benefits at the Same Time?
Under your Workers’ Compensation claim, you can use the vocational rehab benefit and the lost wages benefit at the same time. Pay your household bills, cover debts and receive financial peace of mind as you train for a new employment position.
Can your Employer or Insurance Company Stop Vocational Rehab Benefits?
You may have heard about employers or insurance companies who push employees to take any job and then cut wage loss and other Workers’ Compensation benefits. Know your rights so that you can advocate for yourself and receive the benefits you deserve.
What are the Benefits of Returning to Work?
Depending on your state, you may not have to take the vocational rehabilitation benefits provided by your Workers’ Compensation insurance. Crunch the numbers to determine how much Workers’ Compensation lost wages benefits you will receive over your lifetime compared to how much money you can make by working. Also, factor in the personal and professional fulfillment you will gain from working, which can include advancement opportunities, higher self-esteem and restoration to normal life.
With your Workers’ Compensation vocational rehabilitation benefits, you can train for a job even if you have permanent work restrictions. Check your specific benefits for details.