All applicants for SSDI or SSI disability or blindness benefits are to be considered
for referral to their State VR agency or in some States, to the agency for the blind
for possible rehabilitation services. (A reference to a State VR agency also includes
an existing State agency for the blind.)
The SSA DO will transmit any title II or XVI disability or blindness case requiring
a State determination directly to the appropriate DDS for a determination of disability/blindness
and evaluation of rehabilitation potential. Generally, the DDS examiner, with the
aid of the DDS physician when needed, is responsible for evaluating rehabilitation
potential (conducting a gross screening) using POMS/State VR agency criteria in conjunction
with each disability/blindness determination. However, in some States, VR screening
responsibility has been assumed by the VR agency, and said agency must screen each
determination. In either case, whether screening is performed by DDS examiners or
the VR agency itself, persons who are identified as having rehabilitation potential
must be referred for VR services.
The leaflet “Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind and Disabled,” DHHS Publication No. (SSA) 05-10094, is available in local Social Security offices
and should be given to anyone who inquires about benefits based upon disability or
blindness. This leaflet includes a form which may be completed and mailed to the State
VR agency. The address of the State VR agency should be prestamped on the leaflet
by the DO. (In States where a separate agency for the blind exist, that agency's address
should be furnished to inquirers about benefits based on blindness.) Applicants whose
claims are processed through the State agency (DDS) should be informed that they may
be contacted later by a State VR agency. Avoid giving the impression that the State
VR agency will contact all individuals who have applied for disability benefits or
payments. While each applicant may contact the State VR agency at any time, referrals
may be initiated by the appropriate State agency (DDS) without the person's consent.