Order of Selection for
Vocational Rehabilitation Services


When the department does not have enough funds to serve all applicants who are deemed eligible for our services, the federal government requires that we use an Order of Selection process. DOR must serve people with the most significant disabilities first. Placing you in a priority category provides a fair way to serve all applicants in the correct order.

All those in the "most significantly disabled" category will be served first, followed by everyone in the "significantly disabled" category and then the "disabled category."

Within each category, we serve people according to date of application. The person who applies first is served first, the person who applies second is served next, and so on, until everyone in that category has been served.

Waiting List

If the DOR does not have enough funds to serve your category, you will be placed on a waiting list until your turn comes. If you are on the waiting list, we will send you a letter every 90 days to tell you which category we are currently serving. As soon as we are able to serve your category, we will let you know. You will then be served in order of the date you submitted your application.

Declaration of Order of Selection
for Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Effective July 1, 2023

Whereas, on August 18, 1995, the Department of Rehabilitation (Department) first declared that the Department was under Order of Selection for Vocational Rehabilitation Services and determined that no priority categories could then be served; and,

Whereas, on November 2, 2020, as the Department’s Director, I declared that projected resources were adequate to serve all eligible individuals in Priority Category One, Priority Category Two, and Priority Category Three, who applied on or before June 30, 2021, including eligible individuals who are on the Waiting List; and,

Whereas, on June 9, 2022, as the Department’s Director, I declared that projected resources continued to be adequate to serve all eligible individuals in priority categories defined in California Code of Regulations, title 9, section 7053; and that effective July 1, 2022, resources were adequate to serve all eligible individuals in Priority Category One, Priority Category Two, and Priority Category Three; and,

Whereas, the Department has since reviewed projected resources and projected costs for state fiscal year 2023-24, which starts July 1, 2023, and ends June 30, 2024, as provided by California Code of Regulations, title 9, section 7052(a), and determined that projected resources are adequate to meet projected costs for state fiscal year 2023-24 for all three Priority Categories; projected resources are sufficient to serve eligible individuals with the most significant disabilities, Priority Category One, eligible individuals with significant disabilities, Priority Category Two, and all other eligible individuals with disabilities, Priority Category Three.

Now, therefore, I, Joe Xavier, Director of the Department, declare that effective July 1, 2023, the Department shall serve all eligible individuals in Priority Category One, Priority Category Two, and Priority Category Three.

Dated: June 28, 2023
Original signature on file

__________________________
Joe Xavier
Director