WorkFirst HandBook
Resolving Issues
6.6 Disabilities
The Disabilities section includes:- 6.6.1 What are medical conditions?
- 6.6.2 Guiding principles
- 6.6.3 Basic Process
- 6.6.4 How do I get medical evidence?
- 6.6.5 How do I complete the medical evidence IRP?
- 6.6.6 How do I pay for medical evidence?
- 6.6.7 How do I evaluate evidence and establish participation requirements?
- 6.6.8 eJAS Codes
- 6.6.9 Medical Conditions - Step-by-Step Guide
6.6.1 What are medical conditions?
This section includes information about medical conditions (physical, mental, emotional disorders or learning disabilities) that can interfere with a person's ability to work, prepare for work or look for work. Substance abuse/chemical dependency, which can also interfere with participation, is covered in the following section of the handbook, Substance Abuse 6.7.
- A physical disorder (XM) often affects a person's ability to perform physical tasks in a normal day-to-day setting. For example, a person might not be able to see, hear, move freely or lift weight. The impact of a physical disorder can often be mitigated by use of adaptive accommodation such as a ramp for a person who uses a wheelchair.
- Mental and emotional disorders (XG) can affect a person's ability to think clearly or respond appropriately in a work setting. For example, the person may seem mentally preoccupied, have trouble following directions or have difficulty in getting along with others in the workplace.
- A learning disability (XJ) is a neurological condition that impedes a person's ability to receive, store, process or express information. It can affect one's ability to read, write, communicate, or compute math.
6.6.2 Guiding Principles
We cannot approve deferrals or exemptions without objective medical evidence that documents what the parent can and cannot do.
Our goal is to promote consistent decisions, increased participation and better outcomes for WorkFirst parents with physical, mental or emotional conditions. Use these guiding principles when you learn a parent has a medical condition:
- Make decisions based on medical evidence.
- WorkFirst helps parents define and manage limitations and build on strengths.
- General Assistance and WorkFirst staff work together to get the best client outcomes.
- Mitigate limitations and make participation as full-time as possible, as soon as possible.
- Encourage and help parents with chronic and severe disabilities make long-term plans (such as accessing SSI, Social Security Disability or DVR).
6.6.3 Basic Process
As shown in the Strengthening Deferrals: Basic Flow chart, WorkFirst will use a consistent process to respond when we become aware that a person may have a physical disorder (XM), a mental or emotional disorder (XG) or a learning disability (XJ). Throughout the process, we accommodate limitations and require the person to participate as full-time as possible.
Start by obtaining medical evidence so we know what the person can and cannot do. Get the medical evidence even if you know the person has applied for SSI on his or her own. We need the evidence to determine whether the person qualifies for a WorkFirst deferral or exemption and whether we will facilitate the person's SSI application.
Once the evidence is in, triage the case with a social worker as needed, and assign the case as follows:
- The WFPS handles the case when a physical, mental or emotional condition (XM or XG) is expected to last 3 months or less.
- As conditions get longer-term or more complex, social workers may handle the case to make decisions and establish IRP requirements.
- Parents with severe and chronic medical conditions will be assessed for SSI and, if they want to work, we may refer to DVR for services.
- The SSI Facilitator helps viable candidates apply for SSI and monitors their progress.
6.6.4 How do I get medical evidence?
When the parent reports, or appears to have, a medical, mental or emotional condition that interferes with their ability to participate, obtain objective medical evidence from one of the primary or secondary medical professionals described in WAC 388-448-0020 to clarify what the parent can and cannot do.
Obtain the following information from the parent up front, so we can follow up as needed:
- A signed consent form, DSHS 14-012, so we can share information, including any accommodations the parent needs to participate.
- A hard copy of the DSHS 14-050, Statement of Health, Education and Employment form, in case the medical evidence shows the parent may be a viable SSI candidate.
- A DSHS 10-353 form (if possible) and chart notes (as needed). However, we must accept an alternative type of objective evidence, as described in the IRP, if that is what the parent turns in.
- An IRP requiring the parent to obtain medical evidence.
We may augment this medical evidence later if it appears the parent may qualify for SSI.
6.6.5 How do I complete the medical evidence IRP?
Complete the IRP using the OR eJAS component code requiring the parent to obtain medical evidence within 30 days. Offer to help the parent obtain the evidence as needed. Get supervisory approval before you give the parent more than 30 days to obtain medical evidence.
If needed, you can extend the time in 30-day increments with supervisory approval, if you also do the following:
- Document why more time is needed in eJAS notes
- See if you can help the parent get evidence sooner
- Consider referring the parent to a social worker for help in obtaining evidence.
The OR IRP template requires the parent to provide the DSHS 10-353 form or alternative medical evidence that provides the:
- Diagnosis,
- How long their medical condition is expected to last,
- Specific limitations stemming from their medical condition,
- Treatment plans, and
- The number of hours per week the parent can work, look for work or prepare for work.
The OR IRP template also requires chart notes for the current medical condition unless the condition is expected to last for 3 months or less.
6.6.6 How do I pay for medical evidence?
We may use WorkFirst support services to pay for medical evidence when there is no other way to pay the cost. Make sure the parent understands that they do not need to pay the costs. Do not use WorkFirst support services to purchase medical evidence when:
- The exams or testing can be paid by Medicaid or are available from free clinics.
- DDS or DVR is expected to purchase the exams or testing as part of their eligibility determination process. We may purchase exams or testing if :
- Recommended by the contracted physician, or
- Following an SSI denial if it was overlooked and appears necessary to establish SSI eligibility.
Medicaid should normally cover the cost of the medical exam and form completion. However, the medical professional may charge for copies of the parent's chart notes. It may be appropriate to pay for missed doctor appointments when we set up the appointment for the parent and the parent was not able to give the doctor a 24-hour cancellation notice.
We only pay for psychological exams and testing for parents who are on the SSI track. Further, if the person has worked with a psychologist or psychiatrist, we may be able to get sufficient information for an SSI referral from existing chart notes.
See categories 34 (testing/diagnostic) and 37 (medical exams/services) in the WorkFirst Support Services Directory for the types of medical exams and services we can purchase using support services.
6.6.7 How do I evaluate evidence and establish participation requirements?
Review the DSHS 10-353, WorkFirst Documentation Request for Medical/Disability Condition and any chart notes. If the parent provides alternative medical evidence, contact the doctor as needed to obtain the key information below.
- Determine if there are any conditions listed that limit the person's ability to work, prepare for work or look for work. If not, do a full-time IRP as described on the medical participation requirements chart.
- Complete or update the parent's EA screening as needed and determine if there are countable activities where we can avoid or accommodate the limitations. If so, document the condition, provide needed accommodations and do a full-time IRP with appropriate activities.
- Refer complex and longer-term cases to a social worker, using the RR eJAS referral code until the parent has a deferral or exemption.
- Determine the parent's hourly participation capacity based on the medical evidence and set participation requirements as shown on the medical participation requirements chart.
- See WorkFirst Handbook 6.8 , Exemptions, if the medical evidence shows the person's medical condition is chronic (will last 12 months or more) and severe (they can participate 10 hours or less per week). We will need to decide whether to refer the person to SSI and the person may qualify for a WorkFirst exemption or long-term deferral.
- If the person has filed an SSI application on their own, but does NOT have a chronic and severe condition, let the SSIF know so they can track the SSI application. However, we will not get additional medical evidence or provide formal SSI facilitation.
- Some parent's may have a DVR Plan. If so, coordinate their IRP with their DVR Plan. (See Social Services Manual and Reporting DVR Plan Hours.)
- Share information about any accommodations the parent needs to participate with the WorkFirst partner or contractor when you refer the parent to them for activities. This is allowable with the signed DSHS 14-012 Consent form.
- Establish the deferral or exemption end date based on the duration listed in the parent's medical evidence, not to exceed 12 months.
- Review the case when the deferral or exemption expires to determine whether the person may require another deferral or exemption. If so, obtain new medical evidence following the process above and update the EA Plan as needed.
6.6.8 eJAS codes
Depending upon the person's situation, use these eJAS codes:
- OR (obtaining medical evidence) - used on the IRP to require medical evidence.
- RR (review medical evidence) - used when a parent is referred to a social worker for IRP and SSI decisions. The code is kept in place until the exemption or IRP is done.
- XM (temporary physical incapacity, medical treatment)
- XJ (learning disability services)
- XG (mental health services or treatment)
6.6.9 Disabilities - Step-by-step guide
- The WFPS or WFSW uses an IRP with the OR eJAS component code to request medical evidence (the DSHS 10-353 and chart notes or an alternative type of evidence listing diagnosis, duration, specific limitations, treatment plans and the number of hours per week the parent can work, look for work or prepare for work). Also obtain a signed DSHS 14-012 and the DSHS 14-050 .
- Complete an EA screening or plan update to determine accommodations the parent needs to access services and/or participate.
- The WFPS/WFSW, based on the medical evidence and EA screening, determines:
- Whether we can mitigate or accommodate limitations and the parent can participate full-time.
- Whether to refer to a social worker with the RR eJAS component code for case management or a possible SSI referral.
- Participation requirements. (See the medical participation requirements chart for more details.)
- Opens the appropriate X eJAS component codes based on the duration of the disability, but not to exceed 12 months, and eJAS codes for other required activities.
- Updates the IRP and provides needed support services.
- If the person is suspected of having a LD, the individual is referred to the WFSW who uses the eJAS learning needs screen:
- 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,
- 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.
Resources
Related WorkFirst Handbook Sections
Forms & Other Resources
- Learning Disabilities Association of Washington (425-882-0820 )
- DSHS 15-250, Learning Needs Screening Tool
- DSHS 14-012, Consent (prefilled form)
- DSHS 14-050, Statement of Health, Education and Employment Form
- DSHS 10-353, Documentation Request for Disability/Hardship Condition
- Strengthening Deferrals: Basic Flow Chart
- Medical Participation Requirements Chart
- Reporting DVR Plan Hours
