Implementation of the required pre-employment transition services will sometimes necessitate the use of the following allowable support services.

These support services must be provided in conjunction with one of the five required pre-employment transition services and entered in QE2 as a service.

Support Services for Pre-Employment Transition Services for students with a Pre-Employment Transition Consent and Information Release ONLY:

• Background check, if required for all employees, if paid to the business
• Benefits Orientation
• Travel Training
• Employment/Training Medical Supports, if paid to the business
• Interpreter-Deaf or Hard of Hearing (ADA)
• Tools-employment, if paid to the business
• Uniform & Clothing, if paid to the business
• Worksite skills trainer
• Assistive Technology Partnership (ATP) Consultation

Benefits Orientation 

A Benefit Orientation will provide general information to a student and family (or authorized representative) about public benefits that may be affected by the student's income from a paid work-based learning experience. In this case a benefits orientation is in conjunction with a work- based learning experience. 

A Benefit Orientation should be provided for a student with a disability (SWD) at age 17 so the student and family (or authorized representation) can be made aware that the student will undergo a redetermination of benefits as an adult at age 18. This allows for the student and family (or authorized representative) to make informed choices about work and earned income. In this case a benefits orientation is in conjunction with workplace readiness training.

If a student needs a Benefits Assessment, the student should apply for VR services. A Benefits Assessment is available after completing a VR Application for Employment Services. (Benefits Analysis Services)

Travel Training

Travel training may include the preparation of a student with a disability to travel independently in their home, community, college, work-based learning site, etc. An example of travel training cost includes the purchase of bus tickets for VR staff and students to learn how to ride the bus.

Worksite Skills Trainer

Worksite skills trainer can be considered in conjunction with a work-based learning experience. A worksite skills trainer teaches students specific job duties and job tasks required to perform the job. The worksite skills trainer can also provide work readiness skills training at the worksite during the work-based learning experience. See Work-Based Learning Experience Chapter

ATP Consultation

A pre-employment transition student or a group of pre-employment transition students can be referred to ATP for a consultation ONLY.  An ATP consultation allows ATP to provide consultative services to a student regarding accommodations the student may need in work or post-secondary education. A Pre-Employment Transition coordinator should consider a referral for an ATP consultation when a student has a functional limitation related to work, including work-based learning experiences, when a student is considering post-secondary training and if a Project SEARCH intern could potentially benefit from assistive technology. 

An ATP consultation is meant for information only. An ATP consultation can be provided through demonstrations, loans, access to the ReUse Program. ATP will research other resources for students through funding coordination through ATP and the ReUse program. Once an ATP consultation is completed, an Information Only Report will be provided to the referring Pre-Employment Transition coordinator. The coordinator should share the Information Only report with the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team so it can be considered in transition planning. Assistive technology cannot be purchased by Nebraska VR for a student receiving ONLY Pre-Employment Transition Services.

A Pre-Employment Transition Coordinator must complete an ATP referral form. The “Pre-ETS” box should be checked to identify that the referral is for a student. 

Allowable Support Services for Pre-Employment Transition Services for students that are eligible for VR services and have an Individualized Plan for Employment:

When appropriate more individualized services can be provided to students that are eligible for VR services and have an Individualized Plan for Employment. 

Students that are eligible for VR services and have an Individualized Plan for Employment have access to additional VR service costs as necessary, in addition to allowable service costs for potentially eligible students.  

When a student applies for VR services, an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) must be developed within the guidelines found in the IPE chapter. Either a projected post school employment outcome or employment outcome may be developed as appropriate. Refer to the IPE chapter. 

Benefits Orientations for Students with Disabilities

Prior to the age of 18, there are two circumstances when a Benefits Orientation will be completed by Nebraska VR Pre-ETS staff for a Student With Disabilities (SWD). See the Pre-ETS Benefits Orientation Process Flowchart. 

 

•  
• Student will participate in a paid Work-Based Learning Experience (WBLE) and student/family receives public benefits: 
  • Benefits Orientation for this student will provide general information to a student about how public benefits may be affected by the student's earned income from a paid Work-Based Learning Experience. For most public benefits program, including SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, and Energy Assistance, among others, income from a paid Work-Based Learning Experience is considered a training allowance/is excluded when calculating the benefits received from public benefits programs.
• Student not completing a WBLE but is receiving SSI and will undergo an Age 18 Redetermination of Continuing Disability:
  • A Benefits Orientation will be completed with a SWD at age 17 so the student and authorized representative can be made aware that the student will undergo a Redetermination of Continuing Disability benefits as an adult at age 18. 

 

After age 18, a Benefits Orientation will be provided to a SWD/Authorized Representative when:

• the SWD will complete a paid Work-Based Learning Experience and
• receives SSI/SSDI and/or other public Benefits (Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, Housing) on their own benefits record as an adult
• See the Pre-ETS Benefis Orientation Process Flowchart 

 

If a student needs specific information about how benefits will be affected by earned income a Benefits Assessment may be provided after the student has applied and been found eligible for VR Services.

Pre-employment transition services are reportable to the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). For this reason, all pre-employment transition services provided to a student must be documented. Support services provided in conjunction with one of the five required pre-employment transition services, must be entered in QE2.  

• Add the pre-employment transition service ("Pre-ETS Service") in QE2
• Select "Support" category
• Select "Type of Service" category, either team or community
• Select "Document Team Service" from the case home screen, and enter the date and a summary of the support service provided

A. Process for Student with Disabilities (SWD) under age 18 who will complete a paid Work-Based Learning Experience 

1. VR Pre-ETS Staff: 

1. Obtain the Pre-ETS Benefits Orientation/Referral Form attached to this chapter
2. Contact the SWD, their authorized representative, parent, and/or other identified person who can provide information about benefits the student and other household members receive 
3. Complete the Pre-ETS Benefits Orientation/Referral Form by asking the SWD/authorized representative, etc., if the student or others in the household receive any local, state or federal benefits listed below. 

 

See Background and Training section, for a description of federal, state and local programs to assist you in completing the Benefits Orientation/Referral Form.

3. • Federal Benefits: 
     • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB), Disabled Widow(er) Benefit (DWB), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
   • DHHS Economic Assistance, Medicaid programs, and other public benefit programs: 
     • DHHS: Medicaid, Aid to the Aged Blind and Disabled (AABD) Cash Payment, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families/Aid to Dependent Children (TANF/ADC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—formerly ‘Food Stamps’), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
     • Other: Housing Assistance/ Subsidy, Telephone Assistance Program 
4. Based on the type of benefits reported, tell the SWD/authorized representative:

• • The earnings from a Work-Based Learning Experience should not affect the DHHS Economic Assistance, Medicaid and Housing benefits they are receiving, as the income is considered a training allowance under the Work Incentives and Opportunities Act (WIOA).  Still, these earnings must be reported to the agency providing the benefit—DHHS, Housing program, etc.   
  • Earnings from a Work-Based Learning Experience should be excluded under the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) and should not affect the student’s SSI payment (if applicable), so long as the student is under age 22 and regularly attending school.  

Your office may have a listing of contacts for reporting of income.  If not, contact numbers are as follows:

• • • • Call 800-383-4728 to report earned income to Economic Assistance programs (Such as SNAP, LIHEAP)
      • Call 855-632-7633 to report earned income to Medicaid
      • Call local Housing program providing benefit, if applicable.
      • Provide the Pre-Employment Transition Services Benefits Information Form   

 

 

5. Upload the Pre-ETS Benefits Orientation/Referral Form to the case file in QE2 in the Benefits folder.

 

6. Document the provision of Benefits Orientation in conjunction with the pre-employment transition service in QE2 as a Team Service and include details about the discussion of individual benefits and applicable work incentives in a Task Note. 
7. Consult with your supervisor if questions or additional information is needed. 

 

B. Process for SWD receiving SSI and undergoing age 18 redetermination

        1)  VR pre-ETS staff will:

a. Run a report of students on their caseload who are age 17.

b. Contact the SWD/their authorized representative, parent, and/or other identified person who can provide information about benefits the student receives.

c. If the student at age 17 is receiving SSI benefits (see Background and Training section of this chapter for a description of SSI) provide the following information to the SWD, their authorized representative, parent, and/or other identified person:

“At around age 17, a youth will undergo a redetermination of eligibility for SSI based on Social Security’s standards for disability as an adult.  While a youth under 18 can receive SSI due to their physical or mental impairments causing severe limitations in daily life, an adult (over age 18) must be determined to have physical or mental impairments that limit their ability to work.”

d. If the SWD/Authorized Representative does not know if the student receives SSI benefits and does not have any documentation to confirm receipt of the benefit, a Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) may be ordered to verify the benefit received. If ordering a BPQY, complete the VR/SSA 3288 Consent for Release of Information-General, have the form signed, and follow your office procedures to obtain the BPQY.  If it is determined that the SWD receives SSI, provide the information in c., above.

• Upload these forms, as applicable:
  • VR/SSA 3288 Consent for Release of Information-General to QE2 Releases folder
  • BPQY to QE2 Benefits folder

e. Document the provision of Benefits Orientation in conjunction with the pre-employment transition service in QE2 as a Team Service and include details about the discussion in a Task Note.

f. Consult with your supervisor or a trained Benefits Orientation Specialist if you have questions or additional information is needed.  

 

C. Process for Benefit Orientation for Students with Disabilities (SWD) who is over age 18 and receiving SSI/SSDI:

     Follow this process for students over age 18 who:  

• Will complete a paid Work-Based Learning Experience and
• Receive Adult Disability benefits (SSI/SSDI) or other public benefits (Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, Housing)

1) Pre-ETs staff responsibilities:

a.  Note: if the student is over the age of 19 and has a legal guardian, obtain a copy of the Letters of Guardianship.  In rare cases a Power of Attorney may have been appointed; obtain a copy of POA documents. Upload documents to QE2 (Legal folder).

b. Complete a new or update the previously completed Benefits Orientation/Referral Form with the SWD/Authorized Representative and upload it to QE2 in the Benefits folder.

c. Request the Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) from SSA using the VR/SSA 3288 release and following your office process to obtain the BPQY.

d. Upload the BPQY to the QE2 Benefits folder.

e. Provide the Benefits Orientation (if trained as a Benefits Orientation Specialist) or refer the student to a trained Benefits Orientation Specialist in your office.  Consult with your Office Director about which trained Benefits Orientation Specialist should receive the referral.

f. If the Pre-ETS staff is not a trained VR Benefits Orientation Specialist the VR Pre-ETS staff should be present at the Benefits Orientation meeting.

 

The Benefits Orientation will be completed by a trained Benefits Orientation Specialist as noted below. 

2. VR Benefits Orientation Specialist responsibilities: 

1. Review the Pre-ETS Benefits Orientation/Referral Form and the BPQY to determine current benefits and applicable work incentives (SSI/SSDI/Concurrent Beneficiary). This form should be up-to-date and uploaded to the QE2 record in the Benefits folder. If there are questions, consult with the assigned Pre-ETS staff.
2. Identify which Work Incentives guide document (Title XVI, or Title II or Concurrent Social Security Work Incentives Guide) is applicable to SSA disability benefits and have copies available to use in the Orientation.
3. Complete the Benefits Orientation in a face-to-face meeting, when possible.

• The SWD, authorized representative, parent and/or representative payee must be included in the Benefits Orientation, if applicable.  If there is refusal to participate or other issues with non-attendance, document the details in the Task Note when documenting the Benefits Orientation.
• See policy Hosting/Initiating a Virtual Meeting for considerations and accommodations for virtual meetings. A virtual or telephone conversation with the student, authorized representative, parent, and/or representative payee may be acceptable. This determination must be made case-by-case, considering the complexity of the student's benefits information and the student's and others’ ability to understand the information presented. 
• Invite the VR Pre-ETS staff to the Benefits Orientation meeting, as applicable.

 

4. Review the student’s BPQY document (found in QE2 uploads.) The form should be dated no more than 90 days prior to the Benefits Orientation; obtain a new one if older. Review includes these details from the BPQY and coversheet received from SSA:
   • Status of client's Ticket to Work (TTW), if applicable. This is found on the coversheet sent with the BPQY.
   • Type and amounts of unearned income from benefits received from Social Security, including details of any overpayment, others paid on the record (if applicable), and details about the next projected medical review 
   • Date of next Continuing Disability Review (CDR)
   • Start and end date for the Extended Period of Eligibility, if applicable 
   • Health insurance received  
   • Other details, as applicable. See BPQY Handbook for detailed information about the document.

• Discuss the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) work incentive, as applicable (as the SEIE applies to SSI earnings only.)
  • • This is especially important if the student did not complete a paid Work-Based Learning Experience prior to age 18 as they may not have received information about the SEIE in an earlier Benefits Orientation.
• Tell the student/parent/authorized representative or representative payee they should report the student’s income to SSA, noting the SEIE should apply.  Paystubs must be obtained to report earnings to SSI. 
• Note that while earnings from the paid Work-Based Learning Experience may not affect other income-based benefits (Medicaid, SNAP, Housing, etc.), as the income is considered a training allowance under the Work Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), such earnings must be reported and determined by the benefits program to be excluded.
  • • Your local VR office may have developed a list of contacts for DHHS programs, local Housing, etc. Provide the student/others with the contact list, if applicable. If a local contact list is not available, those reporting income should:
      • Call 800-383-4728 to report earned income to Economic Assistance programs (Such as SNAP, LIHEAP)
      • Call 855-632-7633 to report earned income to Medicaid
      • Call local Housing program providing benefit, if applicable.
      • Provide the Pre-Employment Transition Services Benefits Information Form   

 

• Explain DHHS may initiate the Earned Income Verification Request from (Form MC # 00878077) when income from a Work-Based Learning experience is reported. If initiated, DHHS will send the form to NDE HR.  If a Benefits Orientation Specialist receives the form, it should be forwarded to NDE HR for completion, with a note to report the income as a training allowance/assessment under WIOA. Such income should not be included in the budget calculations for Economic Assistance benefits from DHHS.

NOTE: When a student earns income from a job that is not a paid work-based learning experience, income from that job must also be reported to all agencies providing benefits, though the income MAY NOT be excluded from the budget calculation for some benefits. It is important that the student/authorized representative/representative payee are aware of this distinction and know that reporting of income is required.  

e. Provide copies of all forms reviewed with and signed by the student, parent/ authorized representative, and/or representative payee, as applicable. 

f. Document the provision of Benefits Orientation in conjunction with the pre-employment transition service in QE2 as a Team Service and include details about the discussion of individual benefits and applicable work incentives. 

g. Check the Existing Benefit Screen to ensure if it is accurate, and update as necessary to ensure benefits received are accurate.  

h. Consult with your supervisor, other Benefits Orientation Specialists, or the Program Director for Benefits Services if you have questions

 

If a student/authorized representative/representative payee needs specific information about how benefits will be affected, a Benefits Assessment should be considered and requires the student to apply for VR services. A Benefits Assessment can be authorized after the student applies and is found eligible for VR Services. Benefits Analysis Services