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Note: If you refuse VR services you may lose SSI benefits

NOTE: Effective on January 1, 2001, no sanction actions will be taken by SSA due to refusal of VR services. This topic discusses rules that were in effect before January 1, 2001. See additional note below.

If you were referred to a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency by SSA, your eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits may stop if you refuse VR services without good cause.

Examples of reasons that may be considered "Good Cause" are:

(1) The services that are offered are not designed to restore your ability to work.

(2) You are already in a program (either governmental or private) that is expected to restore your ability to work.

(3) You are regularly attending a school, college, or university or are attending a course of vocational or technical training, and the program you are attending is designed to restore your ability to work.

(4) You are physically or mentally unable to participate in the services that are offered.

(5) The services offered would interfere with a medical program provided for you.

(6) The services would require you to be away from home and your absence would be harmful to the health and welfare of your family.

(7) You are working at the present time or you will be working within 3 months.

(8) You are a member or a follower of a recognized church or religious sect which teaches its members or followers to rely solely on prayer or other spiritual means for the treatment and care of any physical or mental illness, and you refuse to accept these services solely because of your belief in these teachings.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Effective January 1, 2001, sections of the Social Security Act which had previously provided for suspension of payments to disabled and blind SSI recipients who refused to accept VR services under an appropriate State program and did not have "good cause" for such refusal were repealed. These changes were part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA) of 1999.

Effective January 1, 2001, SSA reinstated benefits to those beneficiaries whose benefits were suspended due to refusal of VR services, provided that benefits were otherwise payable to the beneficiary. State VR agencies and APs no longer report situations to SSA in which beneficiaries refuse to continue to participate in a VR program after signing an employment plan.

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