An individual work plan (IWP) is a required written document signed by an employment network (EN) (other than a State VR agency) and a beneficiary, or a representative of a beneficiary, with a ticket. It is developed and implemented in partnership when a beneficiary and an EN have come to a mutual understanding to work together to pursue the beneficiary's employment goal under the Ticket to Work program.

The purpose of an IWP is to outline the specific employment services, vocational rehabilitation services and other support services that the EN and beneficiary have determined are necessary to achieve the beneficiary's stated employment goal. An IWP provides written documentation for both the EN and beneficiary. Both parties should develop and implement the IWP in partnership. The EN shall develop and implement the plan in a manner that gives the beneficiary the opportunity to exercise informed choice in selecting an employment goal. Specific services needed to achieve the designated employment goal are discussed and agreed to by both parties.

The beneficiary and the EN share the responsibility for determining the employment goal and the specific services needed to achieve that employment goal. The EN will present information and options in a way that affords the beneficiary the opportunity to exercise informed choice in selecting an employment goal and specific services needed to achieve that employment goal.

(a) An IWP must include at least—

(1) A statement of the vocational goal developed with the beneficiary, including, as appropriate, goals for earnings and job advancement;

(2) A statement of the services and supports necessary for the beneficiary to accomplish that goal;

(3) A statement of any terms and conditions related to the provision of these services and supports;

(4) A statement that the EN may not request or receive any compensation for the costs of services and supports from the beneficiary;

(5) A statement of the conditions under which an EN may amend the IWP or terminate the relationship;

(6) A statement of the beneficiary's rights under the Ticket to Work program, including the right to retrieve the ticket at any time if the beneficiary is dissatisfied with the services being provided by the EN;

(7) A statement of the remedies available to the beneficiary, including information on the availability of advocacy services and assistance in resolving disputes through the State Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System;

(8) A statement of the beneficiary's rights to privacy and confidentiality regarding personal information, including information about the beneficiary's disability;

(9) A statement of the beneficiary's right to seek to amend the IWP (the IWP can be amended if both the beneficiary and the EN agree to the change); and

(10) A statement of the beneficiary's right to have a copy of the IWP made available to the beneficiary, including in an accessible format chosen by the beneficiary.

(b) The EN will be responsible for ensuring that each IWP contains this information.

(a) An IWP becomes effective if the following requirements are met—

(1) It has been signed by the beneficiary or the beneficiary's representative, and by a representative of the EN;

(2)(i) The beneficiary is eligible to assign his or her ticket under § 411.140(a); or

(ii) The beneficiary is eligible to reassign his or her ticket under § 411.150(a) and (b); and

(3) A representative of the EN submits a copy of the signed IWP to the PM and the PM receives the copy of the IWP.

(b) If all of the requirements in paragraph (a) of this section are met, the IWP will be effective on the first day on which the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section are met.