CLOSURE LETTER: The appropriate Successful Employment Outcome Letter shall be sent to each individual client upon their case being inactivated as a successful employment outcome (SSA beneficiaries or no benefits).

MINIMUM STANDARD OF 90 DAYS AT THE SAME JOB: The successful employment outcome must meet all of the successful employment outcome requirements, including the provision of substantial services and stability for at least 90 days without an authorized service. The job goal at closure must be amended as appropriate. See Program Manual Supported Employment Chapter for closure requirements for Supported Employment Cases. 

CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Nebraska VR must provide the Client Assistance Program (CAP) information to clients during the application process, when developing the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), case closure (successful/unsuccessful) or at any time the client disagrees with a VR final decision.

Full consultation with the client is required for all determinations, including successful case closure. Full consultation is defined as, providing the individual with the specific reasons for the determination and the supporting information this decision is based upon. The VR specialist must fully consult with the client/recipient, and as applicable, their authorized representative in person, by phone, virtually, or as a last resort in writing (email/text/letter); unless there is no way to contact the individual to discuss the case termination and the rationale behind the decision.  Employment information must be verified for a successful employment outcome closure. 

Employment outcome means, with respect to an individual, entering or retaining full-time or, if appropriate, part-time competitive employment in the integrated labor market to the greatest extent practicable; supported employment; or any other type of employment, including self-employment, telecommuting, or business ownership, that is consistent with an individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

1. Contact the client. Document how (phone, meeting, email, etc.) the individual was contacted and provided a full consultation to include informed choice on the case closure and any information to supplement the QE2 Successful Employment Determination screen. In addition to discussing the employment data in #2, review if there are any disability or support (modifications, accommodations, assistive technology, counseling, medications, daycare, transportation) issues that may affect job stability. In some cases, personal contact with the client may be very difficult and verification of the employment and other requirements through family, friends, employers, other programs, etc. Attempts to contact the client or other individuals must also be documented in the QE2 task notes. 

2. Determine with the client if the following Successful Outcome requirements have been met:

Outcome Achieved. The client has achieved the employment outcome described in the IPE. If the 2-digit SOC Code for the Job at Outcome does not match the first 2 digits of the SOC Code of the IPE Job Goal, complete an IPE-Amendment. See Program Manual Chapter IPE Amendment for further information. 

Duration and Stability on the Job. The client has successfully completed a minimum of 90-days of employment with no authorized services, with the same job with the same employer. Any service authorized while the client is in the 90-day will result in the time clock restarting.

Wage Requirement. The client is being compensated at or above minimum wage, but not less than the customary or usual wage and benefits provided by the employer to other employees for the same or similar work.

Matches Personal Traits. The job is consistent with the client’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

Integrated Setting. The job is in the most integrated setting possible, consistent with the client’s informed choice.

No Further Service Needs. The client no longer needs vocational rehabilitation services.

Job Satisfaction. The client, the rehabilitation specialist, and when appropriate the employer consider the employment outcome to be satisfactory and agree that the client is performing well in the employment. When appropriate, inform the employer to contact VR if there are future employment issues.

VR Services Contributed to successful outcome. Services provided by VR contributed to the employment outcome.

Authorization(s) completed. All authorization ends dates must be reached before closure can be approved. This includes authorizations that have a $0 balance because of an un-encumbrance. Exceptions: authorizations that have been paid in full (original authorized amount = payment amount) or authorizations for supported employment services.

3.  Verify with the client current contact information (address, phone number, email, etc.).

4. Discuss the status of the client's Ticket to Work (TTW) and tell them reassigning their ticket to an Employment Network (EN) within 90 days may maintain their protection from Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR.) The client's Ticket status should already be known, as VR policy calls for the ticket status to be checked by the counselor when the case is opened. Most often the ticket is assigned to Nebraska VR on the date the IPE is signed.  If ticket assignment is unclear when the case is ready to be closed successfully, contact the Nebraska VR Benefits Services Program Director who can verify whether the ticket is assigned to VR or another entity.  Tell the client they will receive the list of Nebraska EN's in a letter from VR.  Inform the client the EN can accept or refuse to accept their Ticket, and they may wish to contact more than one to find out which will provide the on-going support they need.  Involve the Benefits Orientation Specialist in conversation, as needed. 

5.  Inform the client they will have the opportunity to participate in a client satisfaction survey within the next few months. This phone survey is conducted by Nebraska VR, as we value their feedback as a means to assess and improve services.

6. Complete the Successful Outcome change in QE2 and ​​​inactivate the case within one week from the last client contact:

• Complete the Successful Outcome from the Notices on the Case Home screen in QE2 to address how the individual benefited from VR services and has stabilized on a job consistent with his or her strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. These narratives will be auto populated into a task note.

• Complete WIOA Exit Data Questions. Answers may not be left blank. If client refusal to answer/does not know/unable to locate: Use other resources available to find the information (i.e.: HHS, Worker's Comp, etc.) and/or answer the question to the best of your knowledge at the time of exit.

• Complete recoupment process on all existing equipment issuance items, if applicable. See Program Manual Chapter  Equipment Issuance and Recoupment

7. Send client the appropriate Successful Employment Outcome Letter (SSI/SSDI beneficiaries OR No benefits).

 

Successful Outcome Letter (SS beneficiaries) in English

Successful Outcome Letter (Non SSA) in English

INACTIVE FORM: IPE Amendment of Job Goal at Outcome/Termination of Service - English

INACTIVE FORM: IPE Amendment of Job Goal at Outcome/Termination of Service - Spanish

Successful Outcome Letter (Non SSA) in Spanish

Successful Outcome Letter (SS beneficiaries) in Spanish