Benefit Types

Benefit Types The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) provides cash benefits, material goods and commodities, expert services, positive discrimination, and credits/vouchers. Cash benefits are paid to “customer as a vendor” clients to reimburse them for expenses that would have otherwise been directly paid for by OVR, such as transportation to and from a training site. Material goods and commodities are provided to clients in the form of rehabilitation tools and tools needed in order to perform job duties like computers, software, adaptive tools and technology, mechanical tools, etc. Expert services are provided by Certified Rehabilitation Counselors who all possess no less than a Master’s Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation or a related field. The counselors offer guidance and counseling services, information and referral services, job coaching services, etc. Positive discrimination applies to OVR as they serve only individuals with disabilities and people with disabilities are considered an underprivileged population. Credits/vouchers are used when purchasing goods or services for customers. Target efficiency at OVR is great because money is paid only after services are provided and goods are received. This ensures that the client is getting the goods and services that were originally intended. No services are provided without proper evaluation of needs. There is a trade-off for less consumer sovereignty as a result of this. Though consumers are able to choose their own providers, they can only accept or decline the recommendations of professionals as far as what can be done for them and what should be purchased for them. There is little to no stigmatization that comes with receiving services from OVR, as they are incredibly confidential and there is actually a positive connotation that comes with the client’s association with the agency. OVR does spend quite a bit of money per individual case, which may not always be very cost effective. There