Coping with Pain - Vocational Retraining

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Coping with Pain - Vocational Retraining

By Marc Disorbio, EdD

.... There are numerous resources available in most states regarding

vocational retraining. For example, social security disability has a benefit

for vocational rehabilitation; some automobile insurance policies have

benefits for vocational retraining for individuals injured in car accidents;

and most states have vocational rehabilitation agencies. Most of these

programs are not designed to get you a job, per se, but to help you develop

a new career.

One of the first steps to developing a plan is identifying what resources

and benefits may be available to you. The next step is to obtain your

physical and psychological restrictions from your physician and psychologist

so that you can begin to apply to various programs to see if you qualify.

After you've been approved for a particular vocational retraining program,

then you can begin working with a rehabilitation counselor. Counselors can

help you identify special interests that you have, which may lead you in a

particular vocational direction, as well as take into consideration your

physical and mental restrictions for any particular career... Vocational

retraining programs typically last six months to two years, and include

other benefits, such as using program computers, resume writing assistance,

and help with interviewing skills...

.... To obtain information regarding availability of benefits, contact your

state vocational rehabilitation agency, your insurance carrier, and your

social security disability agency.

Social Security resources http://www.ssa.gov/work/index.html

Department of Veterans Affairs http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/

State Programs (list by state)

continued at:

http://www.painconnection.org/MyEducation/Education_VocationalRetraining.asp

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