Individualized Services

Michigan Rehabilitation Services exists to support eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for and obtain competitive employment.

MRS provides a wide range of services to help you prepare for, find, keep, or return to work. Your assigned MRS counselor will assist you in determining which services best support your employment goal. Here’s what MRS can help with:

• Job exploration: MRS helps you learn about job options, find work-based learning experiences (like internships), get ready for employment, learn to self-advocate, and explore college or training opportunities.
• Assessments: Tests and evaluations to determine the significance of your disability and what supports you’ll need to reach your employment goals.
• Counseling and guidance: Support to help you make informed choices, set goals, and overcome work-related challenges.
• Referrals to other services: Help connecting you with resources from other agencies or programs when needed.
• Physical and mental restoration: Services like physical therapy or counseling that you need for work.
• Training and education: Includes vocational training, college courses, books, tools, and school materials. Training in higher education must first be funded through other sources.
• Interpreter, reader, and mobility services: Effective communication (e.g., sign language interpreter) and community navigation supports (e.g., mobility training) for individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired people, like sign language interpreters or mobility training. If you are legally blind or visually impaired, you may be referred to the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons for services.
• Job-related services: Services to help you find and keep a job, like job search help, job coaching, follow-up support, and ongoing assistance.
• Supported employment: Ongoing support at work for those who need extra assistance.
• Personal assistance services: Help with performing daily living activities when needed to participate in vocational services.
• Tools, equipment, and licenses: Funding for items needed for work like tools, technology, or professional licensing fees.
• Rehabilitation technology: Devices or modifications that help you work like computer software, vehicle modifications, or adaptive equipment.
• Transition services (school-to-work): Supports to help students move from school to a job or college. To learn more about MRS services for students, visit MRS for Students.
• Self-employment and business support: Help with business plans, market searches, or self-employment support.
• Customized employment: Services to help you find a job that is tailored to your skills and needs.
• Other necessary goods and services: Any additional support that is essential for you to reach your work goal.

MRS creates a personalized plan with you, using the exact supports needed to help you succeed in employment

MRS works with you to make sure services needed for your job goal are paid for in a fair and reasonable way.

MRS pays for the services that are necessary for your employment plan.

MRS covers services that meet your vocational needs and follow MRS policies, including services listed in your Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). MRS encourages customers to contribute when they can, but MRS cannot require an arbitrary amount of payment. You are only responsible for costs above:

• the approved rate of payment, or
• the least‑cost service that still meets your vocational needs.

If you choose a more expensive provider or service, MRS will pay its portion, and you pay the difference.

If you cannot pay at the time of authorization, MRS can still proceed.

If the service meets MRS policies and is the least‑cost option, MRS can pay for the service even if you cannot financially contribute at the time the service is being provided.

Comparable benefits pay first when available.

If another program, like insurance, financial aid, or community resources, can pay for part or all of a service, those benefits must be used before MRS funding. Comparable benefits will be explored when your counselor and you develop your IPE.