Order of Selection 

Current Status

The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation’s (USOR) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program is operating under an Order of Selection (OOS). Individuals with active Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) will continue to receive services. However, newly eligible individuals assigned to closed priority categories may experience a delay in service delivery. Please continue reading to learn more about how the Order of Selection works.

What is an Order of Selection?

An Order of Selection is the process used by VR agencies when resources (funding and staff) are not sufficient to serve all eligible individuals. Federal law requires VR agencies to implement an OOS to ensure that services are provided first to clients who need them most.

When clients are found eligible for VR, they are assigned to a priority of service category based on the significance of their disability. This assignment is based on how the disability impacts daily life and employment, not the type of disability.

During an OOS, priority categories are either open or closed:

  • Clients in an open category may receive the full range of VR services.
  • Clients in a closed category are placed in a delayed status. 

If you already have an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), you will continue receiving VR services without interruption, regardless of your priority category.

Why is USOR Implementing an Order of Selection?

Federal law requires vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to implement an Order of Selection (OOS) when resources are not sufficient to serve all eligible individuals. To learn more about the reasons for Utah’s OOS, please review:

Priority of Service Categories

USOR uses three priority categories:

  1. Individuals with Most Significant Disabilities (MSD)
  2. Individuals with Significant Disabilities (SD)
  3. Individuals with Disabilities (D)

How Categories Are Determined

A VR counselor works with each client to determine how their disability affects them across seven functional areas. This may involve reviewing medical or psychological records or completing assessments.

Functional areas include:

  • Mobility
  • Communication
  • Self-Care
  • Self-Direction
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Work Tolerance
  • Work Skills

Priority categories are assigned based on:

  • The number of disability-related functional limitations
  • The estimated number of VR services a client will need
  • The estimated duration of services needed to reach employment goals

What Happens if My Priority Category is Closed?

Currently, the Significant Disability (SD) and Disability (D) priority categories are closed. If you are assigned to a closed priority category and do not have an IPE, you will be placed on a list until services become available.

While on the waitlist:

  • You will receive information and referral services to connect with other federal, state and community based programs that may help with your employment needs.
  • USOR cannot provide VR services (such as training or  job placement assistance) until your priority category is open and you are removed from the delayed status list. 

If resources become available:

  • Clients will receive services based on priority category and application date.
  • Higher priority categories are served first, and within each category, earlier application dates are served before later ones.

What if I Disagree with My Priority Category?

If you disagree with your priority category assignment:

  • Contact your VR counselor to discuss your concerns.
  • Provide any additional medical, psychological, or other information that may affect the determination.

You also have rights, including:

  • Requesting help from the Client Assistance Program (CAP). Clients can contact CAP by calling the Disability Law Center’s statewide toll-free number at 1-800-662-9080
  • Using other dispute resolution options

What Do Parents and Students Need to Know About Seeking Services?

Will USOR Still Provide Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)?

Yes. USOR will continue to provide Pre-ETS to students with disabilities.

  • Potentially Eligible Students (students who have not applied for VR) can continue to receive Pre-ETS.
  • Students with an IPE can also receive Pre-ETS as part of their plan.

Key Information for Students, Parents, and Educators

  • Students who received Pre-ETS before being determined eligible for VR can continue to receive Pre-ETS while on the waitlist.
  • Students who did not receive Pre-ETS before being determined eligible for VR cannot receive Pre-ETS while on the waitlist.
  • Students determined ineligible for VR services are not eligible for Pre-ETS.

Can a student with a disability receive Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) while in Delayed Status?

If…

Then…

Impact

The student received Pre-ETS before being determined eligible for VR services

Yes

The student can continue to receive Pre-ETS while in delayed status .

The student did not receive Pre-ETS before being determined eligible for VR services

No

The student cannot receive Pre-ETS while in delayed status.

Making Informed Decisions

Participating in Pre-ETS before completing a VR application is usually the best choice for students. This ensures the student can continue Pre-ETS even if placed in delayed status due to a closed category.

Suggested Steps for Students, Families, and Educators

Step 1: Participate in a Pre-ETS activity.

Step 2: Reflect on the Pre-ETS experience.

  • Identify next steps or additional services to support a successful school-to-work transition.
  • This may include VR services.

Step 3: If individualized VR services are needed, submit a VR Application.

  • Continue participating in Pre-ETS activities that support career readiness.

For questions or more information, students, families, and educators can: