For anyone in Houston who has a type of disability and wants to work, vocational rehabilitation, or VOC Rehab, maybe an answer.
The VOC Rehab program is administered through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Council of Texas. The TWC’s program assists those with disabilities to train for, find, and maintain gainful employment. The program also works with employers and businesses to recruit, keep, and accommodate employees with disabilities.
Eligibility
If you have a disability that makes it difficult for you to find and/or keep employment and need services in order to get to the point of employment, TWC’s VOC Rehab program may be able to help you get to that point.
Disabilities such as:
- Learning, developmental and intellectual
- Physical disabilities such as:
- Paralysis
- Impaired movement
- Back injuries
- Spinal and brain injuries
- Drug or alcohol addiction
- Hearing impairment
- Behavioral/mental health conditions
- Visual impairments including blindness
You can apply for these services at your Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services office, call TWC Vocational Rehabilitation Inquiries at 800-628-5115, or by email at customers@twc.state.tx.us. Include your name, address (including city, state, and zip code) and your phone number in your email.
There are services for both adults and for youth and students and are based on need and eligibility. Youth services include vocational counseling and opportunities for post-secondary education, as well as on-the-job training and internships.
For Veterans: Vocational Rehab & Employment
If you’re a veteran, there are additional services available that can help you if you have a service-connected disability.
The VA has its own VR&E program to offer veterans the assistance they need to find employment and achieve independent living.
If you:
- Received a discharge that was not dishonorable
- Have at least a 10% disability rating from the VA, and
- You apply for VR&E services
Your period of eligibility will end 12 years from the date you separated from active-duty military status, or the date you received notice of your first VA disability rating for a service-connected condition. If your vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC) finds that you have a serious employment handicap, the period could be extended.
Active-duty military members who are “short-timers” (leaving the military soon) may also be eligible for VR&E if they have a 20% or higher pre-discharge disability rating (a “memorandum rating”), participating in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) process, or are awaiting discharge due to a service-connected injury or illness that occurred in the line of duty.
VR&E services can include, as needed:
- Skillset and abilities evaluation for employment
- Vocational counseling
- Job readiness training, including resume preparation and job training
- On the job training (OJT), including apprenticeships and unpaid work opportunities
- Post-secondary training at a college, business school, vo-tech or trade school
- Supportive rehabilitation services as needed (i.e., counseling, medical referrals, case management, etc.)
- Assistance finding and keeping a job, which may include special employer incentives and job accommodations
You can find out more about these benefits here and submit your application here.
We’re Ready To Help
The Herren Law Firm has helped over 4,000 Houstonians get the veteran’s benefits they deserve, and we’ll be happy to help you get yours. Call us at (713) 682-8194 or (800) 529-7707 or use our online contact form for a free consultation. You can ask questions, and we can discuss your legal options. We offer a contingency fee arrangement, and you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.
