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Frequently Asked Questions: RSC's Order of Selection
The Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission's (RSC) Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) and the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) have changed their procedure for determining who receives services. In the past, if you were eligible for services, RSC would help you find or keep a job. Now you must be eligible for services and meet their "order of selection" to receive services.
The following is a list of frequently asked questions about RSC's order of selection.
- What is an order of selection?
- I am eligible for services. Why don't I receive them?
- How does RSC determine my order of selection category?
- I was told that I do not meet their order of selection criteria to receive services. What does that mean?
- What does it mean to be a person with most significant disabilities?
- I do not agree with the category RSC assigned me in the order of selection. What can I do?
- I receive cash benefits from the SSA but do not meet the order of selection criteria to receive services from RSC. Where can I get services to help get or keep a job?
- I do not receive SSA benefits. Where can I get services to help get or keep a job?
- How can Ohio Legal Rights Service help me?
Download the PDF version of RSC's Order of Selection (PDF file)
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Document Publication Date January 2011
Disclaimer: This publication is intended to provide information only, and is not intended as legal advice. You should consult a lawyer if you need legal advice.
What is an order of selection?
An order of selection is a process RSC uses to determine how people are selected to receive services. When RSC cannot fund services for everyone, they limit their services by placing people eligible for services into categories. The order in which people are then provided services depends on their category. RSC has three order of selection categories based on significance of disability:
- People with the most significant disabilities;
- People with significant disabilities; and
- All other eligible people with disabilities.
If RSC determines you are eligible for services, they will also decide your category for order of selection. People in the most significant disabilities category are selected first to receive services. If you are not in that category, you are placed on a waiting list.
I am eligible for services. Why don't I receive them?
Receiving services from RSC depends upon your order of selection category. RSC is following the order of selection process and they are providing services first to those in the most significant disabilities category. If you are not in that category, you are placed on a waiting list until your category is opened. This is permitted under the law.
How does RSC determine my order of selection category?
RSC's decision is based on the information it has about your disability and how your disability affects your ability to work. Information provided to RSC about your disability can be from your doctors, other health care professionals, family members, friends, counselors, teachers, employers, case workers — anyone who knows you well and can tell RSC how your disability affects your ability to get and keep a job.
The information provided should inform RSC how your disability affects you, such as your ability to take care of yourself; live independently; get to or from work; learn job tasks; get along with other people; and if you have problems sitting, standing or working full time.
If you think RSC does not have adequate information about your disability and how it affects you, you can ask your counselor to order an assessment. For example, if your disability limits you in being able to stand for long periods of time and there is no information about how this affects your ability to work, you can ask that your counselor do a functional capacities evaluation.
I was told that I do not meet their order of selection criteria to receive services. What does that mean?
It means that your disability does not interfere with getting or keeping a job to be considered a person with most significant disabilities. RSC is only providing services to people with most significant disabilities. If you are not in that category, you are placed on a waiting list until your category is opened.
What does it mean to be a person with most significant disabilities?
It means:
- Your disability severely limits your ability to work in three areas, such as mobility, communication, self direction, interpersonal interactions, self care, work skills and work tolerance; and
- You need multiple services over an extended period of time in order to get or keep a job.
I do not agree with the category RSC assigned me in the order of selection. What can I do?
You can file an appeal of RSC's decision. If you file an appeal, you must ask for the appeal in writing within 30 days of learning about your placement on the order of selection. Information about how to appeal should be with the letter that tells you about your designated order of selection category.
You can also look for other options to provide employment services so you can work. Some of your options for other services depends on whether you receive benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
I receive cash benefits from the SSA but do not meet the order of selection criteria to receive services from RSC. Where can I get services to help get or keep a job?
There are several options for you to consider:
- Ticket to Work: You are automatically eligible for the Ticket to Work (TTW) program. This means that you can receive services to go back to work from an Employment Network (EN). An EN is a private or public entity that provides employment support and vocational rehabilitation services to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries with disabilities who choose to participate in the TTW program. You can find ENs that serve your area by calling (866) 968-7842, or by going to this website: Ticket to Work - Employment Directory.
- Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program: Counseling on how working will affect your Social Security and other benefits is available from the WIPA program that serves your area. For more information see LRS' Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program.
- One-Stop: Each One-Stop office has a disability navigator who has expertise in disability related issues. One-Stop offices in every county are designed to assist job seekers, employers and youth by offering job search assistance, employee recruitment, job training and other employment related services. For more information read this article from the DD Quarterly: One-Stop Disability Navigators Provide Information about Employment Services.
I do not receive SSA benefits. Where can I get services to help get or keep a job?
You can go to the One-Stop employment office in your county. They can help with services for employment.
You can also use employment agencies and placement offices from schools you attended. They all have an obligation to provide reasonable accommodations to you.
How can Ohio Legal Rights Service help me?
Ohio Legal Rights Service (LRS) offers information, publications, referrals, advocacy, legal counsel and representation to assist people with disabilities to prepare for, to enter, and to remain in the work place. See LRS' website for more information about employment rights and resources: Employment