WAC 67-25-460
Order of priority. (1) The purpose of an
order of priority is to establish an equitable and organized
system which, when resources are not sufficient to meet the
demand for services, gives the first priority to those
eligible vocational rehabilitation customers who meet the
definition of most significantly disabled, in accordance with
WAC 67-25-460.
(2) When the order of priority is in effect, eligible
individuals will be assigned to one of two priority
categories:
(a) First priority: New eligible customers who meet the
definition of most significantly disabled.
(b) Second priority: New eligible customers who do not
meet the definition of most significantly disabled.
(3) The director shall decide when to implement an order
of priority, if necessary, and will determine which priority
categories will be open or closed for the development of new
individualized plans for employment. In the event sufficient
funds or other resources become available to serve all
eligible individuals, the order of priority will be revoked by
the director.
(4) Eligible individuals can develop and carry out an
individualized plan for employment based on:
(a) The priority of the category to which they are
assigned;
(b) Whether or not that category is open for development
of new plans; and
(c) The order in which they applied for vocational
rehabilitation services as indicated by the date of
application.
(5) Customers will be placed in the highest priority
category for which they are qualified. The date of
application will be used whenever it is determined that a
waiting list is required for a category.
(6) Customers will be notified in writing of their
category status when they are notified of their eligibility,
as well as of the conditions pertaining to that category:
(a) Whether the category is open or closed.
(b) Their position on any existing waiting list.
(7) The only services to individuals in a closed order of
priority category will be information and referral services.
These individuals will not receive counseling and guidance,
assessment and training, placement, or other vocational
rehabilitation services until their category is reopened and
they come off the waiting list.
(8) Customers will be notified of the right to appeal the
category decision, in accordance with WAC 67-25-570, and of
their responsibility to notify the department if their
situation changes in a way that may affect their priority
category placement.
(9) Individuals who are receiving services under an
individualized plan for employment at the time an order of
priority is implemented will continue to receive services as
planned. They are not subject to the order of priority and
are not a category within that order.
(10) The order of priority will not affect the provision
of services needed to determine eligibility for vocational
rehabilitation services, WAC 67-25-010 through 67-25-030.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 74.18 RCW. 05-08-097, §
67-25-460, filed 4/4/05, effective 5/5/05. Statutory
Authority: Federal Regulatory Authority for Order of
Selection Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Section 101
(a)(5). 34 Code of Federal Regulations Part 361 Sec. 361.36
Ability to serve all eligible individuals; order of selection
for services. Regulatory Authority for Information and
Referral Services Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended,
Section 101 (a)(20) Information and Referral services. 34
Code of Federal Regulations Part 361 Sec. 361.37 Information
and referral services. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, As
Amended, Title I - Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Part A - General Provisions, Section 100 - Declaration of Policy. 01-21-073, § 67-25-460, filed 10/18/01, effective 11/18/01.]