Eligibility

To be eligible to receive Vocational Recovery Assistance, the applicant shall: (1) Have a permanent impairment rating, as that term is used is T.C.A. § 50-6-204, greater than zero attributable to a compensable work-related injury under the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Law; and (2) Pursuant to T.C.A. § 50-6-208(j): (a) Suffer a compensable work-related injury under the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Law; (b) Not have returned to any employment because of the work-related injury, or have returned to work but earning less than 100% of the salary or wage the applicant received from the applicant’s pre-injury employer on the date of injury; (c) Have received all permanent partial disability benefits permitted under T.C.A. § 50-6- 207(3), including the original award, the resulting award, and any additional permanent disability benefits that may be owed because of education, age, or unemployment rate [applicable to injuries occurring between July 1, 2018 and April 29, 2021] or have received the permanent partial disability benefits permitted under T.C.A. 50-6-207(3)(A) [applicable to injuries occurring on or after April 30, 2021]; and (d) Submit the Form to the Program within ninety (90) days of the date of final payment for all permanent partial disability benefits under T.C.A. § 50-6-207(3) [applicable to VOCATIONAL RECOVERY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CHAPTER 0800-02-28 injuries occurring between July 1, 2018 and April 29, 2021] or within ninety (90) days of the date of payment of the permanent partial disability benefits permitted under T.C.A. 50-6-207(3)(A) [applicable to injuries occurring on or after April 30, 2021].