WorkFirst HandBook

Resolving Issues

6.6 Disabilities

The Disabilities section includes:

6.6.1 What are disabilities?

This section includes information about learning disabilities and physical, mental or emotional disorders that can interfere with a person's ability to work or look for work. Substance abuse/chemical dependency, which is also considered a type of disability, is covered in the following section of the handbook, Substance Abuse 6.7.

6.6.2 Who needs an assessment for disability?

A disability can make it harder for a person to get and keep a job but employment is often a function of the accommodation not disability. Persons with disabilities can be gainfully employed and reach self-sufficiency when given appropriate accommodations.

For others with chronic or severe medical or mental health disorders, a referral for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be appropriate.

Request a WorkFirst Social Worker (WFSW) assessment for disability when learning, physical, mental or emotional disabilities are indicated:

How does the social worker assess disabilities?

As shown in the chart below, WFSWs are trained to assess disability and its impact on employability, by looking at some key factors. This analysis will give them the information they need to determine next steps for the person.

Social workers assess disability by looking at:
Severity Some conditions are so severe that a person should be concentrating solely on getting medical treatment.
Duration

A disability can be:

  • Temporary and curable (like a broken leg), or
  • Chronic, with symptoms that will not go away (like some back injuries).

Chronic disabilities may require a referral to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) or an SSI facilitator (depending on the impact on the person's ability to work or look for work.

Vocational Factors When a disability is not chronic and severe, the WFSW will also look at vocational factors (age, education, and work history). Disability and vocational factors combined may put the person at a significant disadvantage in competing in the labor market.
6.6.3 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Referrals and Consultations

DVR helps adults with physical or mental disabilities (as their primary barrier to employment) to participate in work and in their communities. If accepted into the program, DVR can provide:

If a person is receiving DVR services and is in compliance with the employability plan prior to WorkFirst cash application, the DVR employability plan is reflected in the person's IRP and the activities in the plan are considered appropriate WorkFirst activities.

Under the federal Deficit Reduction Act, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) or the service provider must provide an accounting of the actual hours of participation. Only approved and verifiable activities count toward participation.

Some of the activities in the DVR plan will be coded under XD and others under another eJAS component code. For example; the parent is taking:

A total of 9 hours of WorkFirst participation per week is counted and coded under the appropriate participation categories.

DVR can also play a role in assessment. In these cases, they do not always provide services. Instead, they help partners (including DSHS, Employment Security, Community Colleges, Community Trade and Economic Development, and Limited English Proficiency providers) identify strategies or accommodations that will allow a person to work or learn. Time spent being assessed by DVR can be coded as XD.

6.6.4 Supplemental Security Income Facilitation

A person with chronic and severe disabilities may be approved for SSI, receiving more income and long-term assistance and on-going medical assistance. It can, however, take six to 12 months (or more) to get a final decision. It is important that people not waste their 60 months of TANF WorkFirst waiting for an SSI application to be processed if it is unlikely to be approved. Individuals applying for SSI and working with the SSI Facilitator should be notified of the possible exemptions and assessed for possible exemption or extension under the 6.8 Exemptions section.

Determine if a referral to SSI is appropriate by reviewing the Social Security Administration Adult (Part A) Listings.

You will find separate listings for:

1.0 Musculoskeletal

2.0 Special Senses and Speech

3.0 Respiratory System

4.0 Cardiovascular System

5.0 Digestive System

6.0 Genitourinary System

7.0 Hematological Disorders

8.0 Skin Disorders

9.0 Endocrine System

10.0 Impairments that Affect Multiple Body Systems

11.0 Neurological

12.0 Mental Disorders

Individuals must meet the criteria in detail of the listings, in at least one of the categories described.

If a person has a pending SSI application, refer her or him to a WFSW to see if an SSI Facilitator can help with getting the application processed as quickly as possible. (Other individuals may be referred for SSI facilitation as part of the disability assessment.)

All individuals with a pending SSI application should have an opportunity to talk with a WFSW to find out how likely it is that they will be able to transition to SSI. When approval seems unlikely, the person should be required to participate in WorkFirst activities, as they are able.

6.6.5 eJAS codes

Depending upon the person's situation, use these eJAS codes:

6.6.6 Disabilities - Step-by-step guide
  1. The WFPS refers individuals with a possible learning disability, or medical/mental impairment to the WFSW.
  2. The WFSW determines:
    1. The severity and likely duration of the disability (first) and pertinent vocational factors (as needed);
    2. Refers for medical assessments as needed, using an RO code;
    3. If the person is temporarily participating by obtaining treatment for medical or physical problem, enter XM;
    4. If the person is participating by obtaining mental health services, enter XG;
    5. Whether the person has a disability that is a barrier to employment or requires a DVR or a SSI facilitation referral.
  3. If the person is suspected of having a LD, the individual is referred to the WFSW who uses the eJAS learning needs screen:
    1. Uses all available information, personal observation, and Learning Needs note type in eJAS to determine if a LD may be the primary barrier to employment; and,
    2. If so, contacts the local Learning Disabilities Association of Washington, local community college or other LD provider to determine if it would be appropriate to refer the person for further evaluation and additional services. Enter RO when making a referral for LD services. Enter XJ if the person is participating in LD treatment.
  4. The WFSW refers likely DVR candidates to DVR (an adult whose primary barrier is a physical or mental disability). The DVR counselor:
    1. May authorize diagnostic assessments to determine DVR eligibility.
    2. If services are approved, works with the WFSW and WFPS to develop an employability plan (which is a valid WorkFirst activity).
    3. If the person is eligible for DVR services, the WFSW works with the individual and WFPS to develop and appropriate IRP.
  5. If the person is a likely candidate for SSI, the WFSW will refer her or him to a SSI facilitator.
  6. If the person has severe and/or chronic disability, convene a case staffing to determine if the person should be exempted.
  7. The WFPS:
    1. Updates the IRP, as appropriate.
    2. Provides support services as needed.
    3. Sets a tickler to review the disability and possibly add other IRP activities as the person's condition improves or SSI approval becomes less likely.

Resources

Related WorkFirst Handbook Sections
Forms & Other Resources

For more information about the WorkFirst HandBook, contact Kim Shidell, WorkFirst Program Manager.