Kentucky

What is Vocational Rehabilitation?

The Vocational Rehabilitation Program is a partnership between the Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims, an injured worker and local educational institutions. The goal of this partnership is to ensure the injured worker has the skills necessary to return to gainful employment.

Am I eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits?

Any injured worker may apply for vocational rehabilitation services. You may be eligible for retraining benefits if you have recovered from a work-related injury, but have not regained the physical capacity to return to the job you held before your injury. Kentucky's workers' compensation laws determine who is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services.

Where do I go from here?

The first step on your road to rehabilitation is to contact the Department of Workers' Claims at 1-800-554-8601. Our experienced vocational rehabilitation staff will guide you through the process.
If you are an eligible candidate, you will be referred to an evaluation center nearest to your home. After reviewing the results of the evaluation, the specialist will then work with you to map out your rehabilitation goals and establish a plan to help you reach them.

Ability levels and interests may lead you to any range of opportunities from short-term training to earn a commercial driver's license to more involved training to earn a professional certificate.

What are my responsibilities?

Take an active role in the development and completion of your rehabilitation program;
Promptly attend all scheduled meetings, appointments and interviews;
Participate in all requested vocational testing;
Keep the vocational rehabilitation specialist informed of any changes in phone number, address, medical condition or any other pertinent information.

How will I benefit?

As an active participant in your vocational rehabilitation, you will gain the independence and self-confidence that comes from gainful employment. State law provides through the vocational rehabilitation statute:

Payment of direct school expenses such as tuition, textbooks and required fees for an initial period of 52 weeks;
Additional training, when justified, may be awarded by an administrative law judge on a case-by-case basis;
Other educational expenses such as transportation and room and board can be approved on a case-by-case basis;
Permanent total disability benefits may be paid at a higher rate during training;
Other awarded income benefits may be accelerated to provide an increase in weekly benefits during training.

For any questions or comments, please contact Tara Aziz, 502-782-4555, Tara.Aziz@ky.gov

Department of Workers' Claims
657 Chamberlin Avenue
Frankfort KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-5550
Email: Department of Workers' Claims