Educational or Vocational training is training that teaches skills, which could prepare the recipient for a work environment (sheltered or competitive).

Training such as elementary reading, learning to tell time, learning to count money, typing, and similar courses or programs that teach skills that could prepare the recipient for a work environment (sheltered or competitive) meet the definition of ED/VOC training.

Training that consists solely of teaching such skills or concepts as self-feeding, dressing, learning how to keep a room clean, or how to get along with others does not qualify as ED/VOC.

For the purpose of determining exception to the status as a resident of a public institution only, the term “gainful employment” includes employment in a sheltered workshop setting, even if the level of supervision or assistance in the performance of job related tasks is greater than that of unimpaired recipients.

1. a. 

   To qualify as an approved program for the ED/VOC exception, a program must have:

   • •

     received public funds earmarked for educational or vocational training or preparation for such training from the Federal, State, or local government or political subdivision;

   • •

     been approved by a Federal, State, or local educational or vocational training agency;

   • •

     been accredited by a State-recognized or nationally recognized accrediting agency;

   • •

     its credits or records of completed training accepted on transfer on the same basis as other educational or vocational training programs by not less than three other programs that are recognized.

2. b. 

   Examples of approved programs include preschool, kindergarten, elementary, secondary, vocational, college, and university programs. These include programs that provide academic or vocational training with a goal of gainful employment as well as programs that are clearly preparatory to academic or vocational training (e.g., prevocational evaluation, behavior modification in specific preparation for academic schooling, etc.).

Do not apply the status of “resident of a public institution” if:

1. a. 

   a recipient:

   • •

     lives in a public institution; but

   • •

     is there primarily to receive ED/VOC training; and

   • •

     is participating in an approved ED/VOC training program; and

2. b. 

   the approved program’s purpose is to prepare the recipient for gainful employment.

Apply the following considerations to determine ED/VOC status.

1. a. 

   There is no age limitation and there is no requirement to meet the definitions of “student,” see SI 00501.020C for definition of student. For definition of “child”, see SI 00501.010.

2. b. 

   The exception to resident status based on ED/VOC training does not apply to residents of penal institutions.

3. c. 

   All programs that have been determined to be “educational institutions” for the purpose of title II student child benefit entitlement meet the requirement of being an approved program.

4. d. 

   Generally, ED/VOC designs the training that is part of a rehabilitation plan formulated by the State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency to prepare the recipient for gainful employment. However, this is not the case if the only vocational objective of a VR plan is the attainment or improvement of functional self-sufficiency such as homemaking capabilities.

1. a. 

   Consider the recipient's stay to be for a medical confinement when:

   • •

     the recipient is an inpatient in an institution,

   • •

     part of an institution that is licensed or otherwise approved by a Federal, State, or local government to provide medical services,

   • •

     and the recipient is in the institution for the primary purpose of receiving medical services.

2. b. 

   Document the file with a report of contact or copies of other appropriate documents to support this finding.

1. a. 

   Consider the recipient's stay to be primarily for ED/VOC training when:

   • •

     the recipient is enrolled in a recognized study program that is designed to prepare them for gainful employment; and

   • •

     special ED/VOC training services needed for the particular recipient are not available to them outside the institution;

   • •

     a special educational or vocational board of education, or VR agency makes or requests placement in the nonmedical institution; or

   • •

     the recipient's home school district, board of education, or VR agency pays for all or part of the recipient's room and board in the nonmedical institution.

2. b. 

   Document the file with reports of contacts or copies of other appropriate documents to support your finding.