FAQs

We work with people who have all types of physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and are willing and able to work. The Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired serves people with visual disabilities.

You don’t need proof of disability to apply. We can help you determine if a disability is why you are having trouble getting or keeping a job.

Yes, if your disability is causing issues with your employment or causing you to be underemployed, you can still be eligible for our services.

No, you need to meet our eligibility requirements. If you are not eligible, sometimes we can connect you with other agencies and organizations that may be able to help

1. You may ask the other state to keep serving you or
2. You may close your case in the other state and apply in Virginia.

Existing case records from another state can be helpful to our team when processing your application. Please note, Virginia is not required to provide the same services as another state.

If you call us before you travel, we may be able to pay for the mileage, bus ticket, or taxi to your local Division of Rehabilitative Services office for your appointment. 

Reliable transportation is a part of maintaining employment. We’ll discuss your options with you and help you come up with a long-term plan for getting to and from work.

Applying itself will not impact any benefits. However, working may impact them. Your local Social Security office can help you understand what work options will or will not have an impact on your benefits. 

In some cases, yes. Work incentives, including the Ticket to Work program, make it possible for people receiving Social Security benefits to work and still receive monthly payments. Your local Social Security office can help you understand your options.

Our primary responsibility is to help people with disabilities prepare to enter the work force. We assist people with disabilities during their job search, but we do not have jobs to directly give to people.

We assist with finding job leads, filling out job applications, writing resumes, and practicing for job interviews. When people are working with us, they can also use the fax, copier, and computers in our employment resource centers. 

We will help you manage disability issues at work, such as:

• What to say about your disability to job interviewers, your employer, or co-workers
• Negotiating with an employer for any changes to your job duties, worksite modifications, special devices, or other accommodations needed due to your disability
• Settling into and learning your new job
• Dealing with problems that arise and might make you lose your job

This depends on what you and your vocational rehabilitation counselor agree are needed to help you become employed. Everyone gets counseling and guidance to set realistic job goals, adjust job goals when needed, and learn good work habits.

Some services, including counseling and guidance, are free. You will pay for other needed services based on your ability to pay. DARS funds cannot be used when another funding source, such as medical insurance or federal student financial aid, is available to you. We may also be able to help you find other funding sources.

NEED CONTENT.

No, this is not a service that is offered.

We will help you settle into your new job for at least three months. If you and your employer agree that things are working out, we will close your case.

If recommended by your counselor, we can offer long-term employee services. DARS offers follow-along support, which continues to provide support after initial employment to ensure job retention and career advancement.

If you lose your job, or have trouble on your job, you may ask us to re-open your case. We decide this on a case-by-case basis.