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F. Vocational Benefits, Plans, and Disputes
Vocational benefits are discretionary. They are aimed at helping a worker who cannot return to their old job due to the effects of their injury and does not have the training or skills for a different job to become employable. Vocational benefits may include approved training plans.
Vocational Plans
If vocational assistance is necessary to assist you in becoming employable, your employer will provide a vocational counselor who will work with you to develop a training plan for L&I’s approval.
A vocational retraining plan includes a job goal based on your skills, interests, and medically documented limitations. The plan can include schooling or on-the-job training and cannot exceed two years’ duration.
When a vocational retraining plan is approved, you can select one of two options: begin the approved plan with the assistance of the vocational expert or an alternative that allows you to pursue training independently.
Disputing Decisions About Vocational Benefits
L&I’s Self-Insurance Section approves or disapproves your employer’s decisions about your employability or your vocational plan. If you disagree with the decisions L&I makes, you have the right to dispute. If you decide to take this step, you must send a written dispute to:
The Vocational Dispute Resolution Office
Department of Labor & Industries PO Box 44880
Olympia, WA 98504-4880
You must write to L&I within 15 days after receiving the notice with which you disagree. Explain your concerns in detail. The Vocational Dispute Resolution Office will investigate your complaint and help resolve the dispute. Its recommendations then will go to the director of L&I, who will make the final decision.
Note that your City of Seattle claims analyst can assist you with this process.