4.6 Informal Review

The applicant or recipient may request an informal review by DVR to resolve the issue(s) under dispute with or without mediation or the conduct of a formal appeal. Informal review begins with a request for the applicable District Supervisor to review a decision concerning the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. If the individual is not satisfied with the decision made by the District Supervisor, the individual may submit a written request for review to the Assistant Director of Field Services or designee to review the decision. Informal review shall be conducted in a timely manner that shall not delay a formal appeal and within 30 days of the initial request, unless both parties agree that additional time is necessary. If the informal review does not resolve the issue(s), and the formal appeal process has not yet been requested, the individual may request a formal appeal. When a formal appeal has been requested and the informal review does not resolve the dispute within the time established through mutual agreement, the formal appeal shall be conducted within the timeframes outlined for the formal appeal process. An individual is not required to go through an informal review prior to, or instead of, a formal appeal.

If the issue under review involves rehabilitation services provided directly by DVR staff (e.g., Personal Adjustment Training, Orientation & Mobility, or Business Outreach services), these staff and their supervisor shall be involved in the informal process to the same degree as the DVR counseling team.