Note: We updated this eList on March 25, 2025, to explain that the timeline for closing Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) categories has changed. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

DSD eList announcement

Date: March 18 and March 25, 2025
To: Counties and tribal nations that administer disability waiver funds, employment and day service providers and other interested parties
From: DHS Disability Services Division
Purpose: To share information from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and provide guidance for authorizing DHS employment services
Contact: DSD Contact Form

Employment services authorization guidance

On Feb. 4, 2025, DEED announced:

· They have Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) budget challenges.

· They plan to close VRS categories 2-4.

· They may need to close VRS category 1.

· Necessary pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS) will remain available.

For a recording of the DEED forum, refer to DEED – VRS News: Forums.

This eList announcement provides information about DEED’s VRS changes and guidance for authorizing DHS employment services.

What are the VRS categories?

DEED assigns people to one of four VRS categories based on functional areas (e.g., mobility, self-direction, self-care, interpersonal skills, communication, work tolerance, work skills):

· Category 1: People with most significant disabilities (i.e., people with three or more functional limitations).

· Category 2: People with significant disabilities (i.e., people with two functional limitations).

· Category 3: People with one functional limitation.

· Category 4: All other people (i.e., people with physical or mental impairment that results in a substantial impediment to paid employment but who do not have significant disabilities that result in serious limitations).

Are all people who receive waiver services in category 1?

In general, most people who receive waiver services are in category 1. DEED individually categorizes people, so each person must complete the VRS eligibility process to know their category.

What VRS categories are closed?

As of March 25, 2025, no categories are closed yet. DEED’s timeline for closing VRS categories has changed. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Note: Necessary pre-ETS will remain available even if DEED closes all categories.

How will people know when VRS categories close?

DEED will announce VRS category closings via email using the VRS rehab community partners and stakeholders for DEED listserv and the E1MN newsletter.

To subscribe to the VRS rehab community partners and stakeholders for DEED listserv, refer to DEED – Email updates (VRS community partners and VRS stakeholders).

To subscribe to the E1MN newsletter, refer to DEED – Email updates (E1MN newsletter).

When VRS categories close, what will happen to people already authorized to receive VRS?

People who are already authorized to receive VRS will be able to continue receiving services even if their category closes.

When VRS categories close, can people still apply for VRS?

Yes. People may still qualify for an open VRS category. For more information, refer to DEED – For job seekers: People with disabilities.

When VRS categories close, do people still need to apply for VRS to receive DHS employment development – find services (EDS-find)?

Yes. If DEED determines a person is eligible for VRS, they assign the person to a category. If that category is closed and VRS is unavailable, DEED will:

· Provide the person with documentation to explain that services are not available.

· Put the person on a waitlist maintained by DEED’s VRS unit.

· Remove the person from the waitlist as resources become available.

The person must be on the waitlist maintained by DEED’s VRS unit to receive DHS employment development – find services (EDS-find). People should continue to follow the Disability Hub MN – Engage Plan Find Keep framework.

What waiver service options are available for a person on the waitlist maintained by DEED’s VRS unit?

While a person is on the waitlist maintained by DEED’s VRS unit, they might be eligible to receive DHS employment development – find services (EDS-find). For more information, refer to CBSM – Employment development services (EDS).

What are the time limits for EDS?

A person can receive EDS for a maximum of 12 months after their initial service authorization, as follows:

· EDS-plan should not exceed 120 days.

· EDS-find can cover the rest of the 12 months.

When VRS categories close, can people who are not enrolled in high school or a school transition program receive EDS-find?

Sometimes. HCBS waivers cannot provide services available under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

A person who is not enrolled in high school or a school transition program can only receive EDS-find if they:

· Are ineligible for VRS/State Services for the Blind (SSB).

· Are in a closed category and on the waitlist maintained by DEED’s VRS unit.

For more information, refer to the EDS-find section of CBSM – Guidance for employment services authorization.

When VRS categories close, can students in grade 9 through age 22 and enrolled in high school or a transition program receive EDS-find?

No. HCBS waivers cannot provide services available under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by WIOA or IDEA. For more information, refer to CBSM – Guidance for employment services authorizations.

Instead, the person should:

· Contact their school personnel to learn more about IDEA services.

· Attempt to access similar transition services through VRS/SSB.
Note: Necessary Pre-ETS will remain available even if DEED closes all VRS categories. For more information, the person can contact VRS Student Career Services Staff assigned to their school.

· Access employment support services (ESS) under the waiver for out-of-school hours.

How do case managers authorize EDS-find?

To authorize EDS-find, case managers must:

· Follow instructions on CBSM – EDS and CBSM – Guidance for employment services authorizations.

· Note on the person’s service agreement that the person is “ineligible/not priority of service.”

· Keep a copy of the documentation stating the person is in a closed VRS category in the person’s file.

If a person receives EDS-find and VRS becomes available, can they continue receiving EDS-find or do they need to move to VRS?

DEED and DHS will provide more guidance on this question soon.

If a person finds a job under EDS-find, when do they transfer to ESS?

If a person finds a job under EDS-find, they can continue receiving EDS-find for up to 30 days. After 30 days, they can receive ongoing support under ESS if necessary.

What additional support is available?

Some options to find and keep jobs outside of traditional waiver services include:

· Support from family, friends, community members, coworkers or other natural relationships.

· CareerForce.

· Disability Hub MN – Work toolkit.

· CareerForce – Minnesota’s local workforce development boards.

Previous eList announcements

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