28 Oct How Vocational Rehabilitation Can Help You Work After a Cancer Diagnosis

October 28, 2025 ~ Being diagnosed with cancer often changes many parts of life – including work. You may wonder if you can keep working during treatment, return to your job afterward, or shift to something new that better fits your needs.

If you’re asking these questions, Vocational Rehabilitation might be a helpful (and free!) option.

What Is Vocational Rehabilitation?

Vocational Rehabilitation is a federally funded, state-run program that helps people with physical or mental health conditions prepare for, find, and keep meaningful employment. It’s available in every state and offers personalized services to help you reach your work goals.

For people diagnosed with cancer, Vocational Rehabilitation can help if:

• You want to go back to work after treatment
• You need to change jobs or careers
• You’re having trouble doing your job because of side effects like fatigue, brain fog, or mobility challenges

Vocational Rehabilitation services are free. Even if you’re not sure you qualify, it’s worth applying.

Who Can Get Vocational Rehabilitation Services?

You may be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation if:

• You have a physical or mental health condition that makes it difficult to work (e.g., a cancer diagnosis and/or side effects from treatment, such as fatigue, cognitive issues, or neuropathy); and
• You need Vocational Rehabilitation services to get or keep a job.

You do not need to have a permanent disability to qualify for VR services.

If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you are automatically considered eligible.

What Happens When You Apply?

• Apply through your state’s Vocational Rehabilitation agency.
• Complete an intake interview with a Vocational Rehabilitation staff member.
• Provide medical information—your doctor may need to complete a form.
• The Vocational Rehabilitation agency will determine your eligibility within 60 days.

If approved, you’ll be assigned a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor who will help you create an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). This plan outlines your career goals and the services you need to reach them.

What Services Can Vocational Rehabilitation Provide?

Vocational Rehabilitation services are tailored to your specific needs and may include:

• Career counseling and job placement help
• Education or training for a new job
• Assistive technology or ergonomic equipment
• Support requesting workplace accommodations
• Job coaching or on-the-job support
• Help with tuition for vocational or college programs
• Transition services if you cannot return to your previous job and need retraining
• Self-advocacy skills training

Real-Life Examples of How Vocational Rehabilitation Can Help

• Helping a teacher with fatigue transition into a part-time role with accommodations
• Providing speech-to-text software for someone experiencing memory or concentration issues
• Retraining a construction worker who can no longer do heavy lifting into a computer-based job
• Covering tuition for a cancer survivor who needs to change careers
• Coordinating with an employer to make flexible schedules possible during follow-up treatment, as an accommodation
• Providing assessments to determine what skills, abilities, and interests individuals have, in order to identify what types of jobs would be a good fit for them
• Counseling on how SSDI benefits may be impacted by working and how to best navigate VR services
• Self-advocacy training to help an individual advocate for their needs in the workplace regarding their limitations, making decisions about whether to disclose their medical condition, asking for accommodations, and speaking to their strengths

How to Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation

Each state runs its own Vocational Rehabilitation program. You can apply by phone, email, or through an online form.

Find your state’s Vocational Rehabilitation agency: TriageCancer.org/StateResources. Or visit the Rehabilitation Services Administration Directory.

Final Thoughts

Going back to work—or figuring out what’s next—after a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Vocational Rehabilitation can help you build a path forward that works for you—whether that means returning to your old job, finding something new, or gaining the support you need to stay employed.

For more information about navigating work and a chronic or serious medical condition, such as cancer, visit our Employment Resources.