 March 27, 2025
Hello Community Partners and DEED-VRS Stakeholders,
As anticipated at the February 4th VRS+CP forum and the Q&A sent on March 4, MN VRS will be closing priority categories 2, 3, and 4, implementing a waiting list for VR services.
Eligible individuals who apply for full general VR services on or after April 7, 2025, and are placed in categories 2, 3, or 4, will be put on a statewide VRS waiting list. Eligible applicants in category 1 (83% as of now) will not go on a waiting list. As per the Rehabilitation Act and Federal VR regulations, agencies use the priority for service (PFS) mechanism to manage limited resources and prioritize individuals with the most severe disabilities, as required by law.
As resources are available, eligible participants on the waitlist will be considered for services in order of their application date and within the priority category open.
Individuals applying for or receiving Introductory Career Services (ICS) will not go on a waiting list. Federal VR regulations require ICS – and Pre-ETS, for potentially eligible students – be available to all students with disabilities, ages 14 to 22.
The moratorium on consumer financial participation (CFP) remains in place, meaning there are currently no financial means criteria for specified services. This may be impacted by future funding, and rule changes will be necessary for long-term sustainability.
There will be no changes to services available for current participants. Our commitment to maintaining the support for those already receiving services remains a priority.
Please continue to refer participants to VRS, regardless of number of functional limitations. Individuals can express interest by completing this virtual form on our website or by calling 651-259-7366 or 800-328-9095.
We appreciate your ongoing partnership. We’ll continue to provide updates as we have them. In the meantime, please reach out to your community partner specialist with questions.
Sincerely,
Dee Torgerson
Priority Categories:
First Priority Category
Persons who have the most significant disabilities, who have serious functional limitations in terms of employment in three or more areas, and who need multiple services over an extended period.
Second Priority Category
Persons who have a significant disability, who have serious functional limitations in terms of employment in two areas, and who need multiple services over an extended period.
Third Priority Category
Persons who have a significant disability, who have serious functional limitations in terms of employment in one area, and who need multiple services over an extended period.
Fourth Priority Category
All other eligible persons. This includes people who have a physical or mental impairment that results in a substantial impediment to competitive integrated employment but who do not have significant disabilities that result in serious functional limitations in terms of competitive integrated employment or who do not require multiple vocational rehabilitation services over an extended period.
What is the DEED-Vocational Rehabilitation Services Community Partner and Stakeholder listserv?
The Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) Division of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) comprises the public Vocational Rehabilitation program, the Minnesota Extended Employment program, Independent Living services, Individual Placement and Supports grants, and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing grants.
The DEED-VRS Community Partner and Stakeholder listserv is the communication platform for current VRS Community Partners, potential VRS Community Partners, and other interested stakeholders in Minnesota’s disability employment services system. We encourage you to subscribe if you are an interested stakeholder in Minnesota’s disability employment services system.
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