The Benefits of Using Return to Work Consultants

GABRIELA EVANGELISTI, IVE, VRTWC

Danville, California

I have had the privilege of serving as a vocational counselor for over 20 years. While my original title, vocational rehabilitation counselor, has changed a few times and is currently return to work consultant, my goals for my clients have not changed. I have had to become efficient in achieving my goals since, over time, resources have become more limited, but I can still help my clients make a difference in their lives.

While it is true that the benefits to injured workers have substantially decreased from the days of vocational rehabilitation maintenance allowance payments – from a $16,000 cap to a $6,000 cap – it is still possible for injured workers to find qualified counselors vested in helping their clients. In my experience, all an attorney has to do is draft a simple letter advising the client’s carrier that the client wishes to work with a qualified counselor. Counselors are copied on such letters, so they are able to contact potential clients and start the voucher process. It is that simple. The counselor takes over from there, and what happens next is a transformation I, for one, will never get tired of witnessing.