Post-employment services (34 CFR 361.5 (41)) – One or more VR service(s) provided subsequent to the achievement of an employment outcome that are necessary for an individual to maintain, regain, or advance in employment.

1. All services provided from employment outcome (date a client starts a job) until the case is closed are post-employment services.

2. Post-employment services are intended to ensure the employment outcome remains consistent with the individual’s unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

3. Post-Employment Service Criteria – Post-employment services do not require a complex and comprehensive provision of services, so should be –

• limited in scope and duration;
• readily available;
• easy to arrange; and/or 
• routine. 

4. After employment outcome, if a client requires a service(s) that is 1) complex or comprehensive (substantial, require significant staff time, longer in duration, difficult to locate, or challenging to arrange or provide); OR 2) beyond the scope of the current job (employment outcome) it is not a post-employment service. In these cases, the client must be moved out of Employment Follow-up.

5. Amendment – If the post-employment service is in a category already on the IPE, an amendment is not required. Adding a service in a category that was not previously on the IPE as a post-employment service requires an amendment.

6. 90-Day Timeline –

Non SE: The 90 day timeline for case closure starts at the maximum date of 1) the employment outcome for the VR supported job (Follow-Up); or 2) the end date of any authorization not paid in full; or 3) the payment date of authorizations paid in full.

SE: The 90 day timeline for case closure starts at the maximum of 1) VR and the provider agree the client has completed transition to extended services (end of M4 authorization), or 2) the end date of any authorization not paid in full; or 3) the payment date of authorizations paid in full.

If post-employment services are needed to help the client maintain, regain, or advance in employment, the 90-day timeline will start over once any authorized post-employment services are completed (end date of the authorization or payment end date). The client must be employed for 90 days without any post-employment services before the case is eligible for closure.

7. Case Closure – A case is eligible for closure once a client has been employed for 90 days without post-employment services or 90 days after all post-employment services have been completed (end date of the authorization or payment end date).

Post-employment services cannot be provided after a case is closed. There are no exceptions. Prior to closing a case, review the client’s employment situation and supports to ensure they meet the client’s needs. Ensure all successful case closure requirements have been met (see Successful Outcome chapter) and refer to any needed long term support services (Ticket to Work, etc.).  If the client returns for services a new case will need to be opened.

1. If additional service(s) are needed to help the client maintain, regain, or advance in employment, determine if the service needed meets the criteria for a post-employment Service:

            Maintain – for assistance in keeping the same job: 

• Did others, such as community providers, fulfill their responsibilities (comparable services and benefits)? Can they meet the client’s needs?
• Is this a worksite modification (reasonable accommodation) that needs to include the employer? It is the employer's primary responsibility for changes to the worksite.
• If the request is for a personal device (standing wheelchair) can it be accomplished with a simple worksite accommodation (desktop printer)?

            Regain - for assistance to get another job:  

• What prevents the client from seeking employment on their own or working with a community resource? 
• Is the client seeking employment in the same SOC code? If no, it is not a post-employment service.

Advance – for assistance advancing in their job:

• Is the advancement in the same Career Pathway and will it result in greater pay, more work hours, a promotion, and/or benefits? If no, it is not a post-employment service.
• What assistance, if any, is available from the employer? 

2. If the service does not meet the criteria, move the client out of Employment Follow-Up by selecting the Cancel EF button and proceed with providing the service;

3. If the service does meet the criteria –

1. Are there other agencies/organizations who may assist in advancing the individual?
2. Complete an amendment if the post-employment category is not already on the IPE;
3. Provide the client with a copy of the IPE Amendment, including the terms and conditions;
4. Enter the IPE Amendment in QE2;
5. If needed, authorize for the post-employment service (REMINDER: The 90 day timeline for case closure starts over once all authorized post-employment services are complete)
6. Complete a task note justifying the post-employment service(s) being provided;
7. Update the employment information in the QE2 work history, if needed.

4. Close the case once the client has been employed for 90 days without post-employment services and all successful case closure requirements have been met (see Successful Outcome chapter).