5.5.8.1 When a Formal Assessment is Declined

If the participant declines a formal assessment and the participant’s barrier is not yet confirmed, the W-2 agency should proceed to work with the individual as though they do not have a barrier to participation in the W-2 program or employment.

If the participant declines a formal assessment, the FEP must continue to informally assess and revisit the benefits of completing an assessment at each review of the participant’s EP Employability Plan .

E XAMPLE : Naomi is applying for W-2. While completing the initial informal assessment, she tells her FEP that she has chronic migraine headaches and she will have to miss her work activities whenever the headaches flair up. The FEP explains to Naomi that a formal assessment completed by her physician will help determine what services and accommodations will help Naomi with W-2 participation.

Together, the FEP and Naomi review the W-2 Formal Assessment Agreement. After reviewing the agreement, Naomi states that she does not want to obtain a formal assessment and she indicates on the agreement that she is declining to complete a formal assessment. As a result, the FEP has no substantiating information about Naomi’s migraines to determine the extent to which Naomi’s medical condition will impact her ability to participate and no information regarding the types of services and accommodations Naomi needs.

Without additional information, the FEP must proceed to work with Naomi as though she does not have a barrier to participation in the W-2 program or employment.

The FEP should continue to watch Naomi’s case closely for a pattern of nonparticipation without good cause and re-offer a formal assessment when appropriate.