DLI's Vocational Rehabilitation unit (VRU)

The Department of Labor and Industry's Vocational Rehabilitation unit (VRU) provides vocational rehabilitation services to injured workers whose claims have been denied by the employer/insurer. The legislative rationale was labeled "early (vocational rehabilitation) intervention" to provide needed vocational assistance to injured workers prior to, rather than after, a determination of liability by the courts.

• View/print DLI's Vocational Rehabilitation unit brochure

These services are provided or coordinated by vocational rehabilitation counselors who are registered as qualified rehabilitation consultants (QRCs). Injured workers have the right to choose a QRC, to take an active part in developing their own written rehabilitation plan and to comment on or rate the services provided by VRU.

QRCs are neutral parties in the rehabilitation process. They are professionals who have knowledge of medical factors, local labor markets and statutes concerning rehabilitation within Minnesota's workers' compensation law.

Although all injured workers are eligible, the Vocational Rehabilitation unit primarily serves claims where liability is denied by the insurer. The unit has 13 QRCs in eight regional locations throughout Minnesota.

VRU success stories

• Redefining Sue -- VRU guidance realigns injured workers' outlook

Request a consultation

• View/print form to request a VRU QRC consultation

In the case of a denied claim or a dispute about medical causation, to qualify for services provided by VRU, the injured worker or their attorney needs to initiate a dispute by filing a Claim Petition or Objection to Discontinuance with the court. If you don't have a work injury, but are disabled and need rehabilitation services, you may contact the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) or your local DEED WorkForce Center to request the services of a DEED counselor.

VRU locations

DLI Vocational Rehabilitation unit locations
Bemidji 616 America Ave. N.W., Suite 300 Bemidji, MN  56601 Phone:  (218) 308-2080; 1-888-234-1116 Fax:  (218) 755-0010	Duluth 525 Lake Ave. S., Suite 330 Duluth, MN  55802-2368 Phone:  (218) 733-7810; 1-888-772-5500 Fax:  (218) 723-2362
Fergus Falls P.O. Box 439 Fergus Falls, MN  56538-0439 Phone:  (218) 739-7296; 1-800-657-3670 Fax:  (218) 739-7301	Hibbing 3920 13th Ave. E. Hibbing, MN  55746 Phone:  (218) 231-8991; 1-800-657-3768 Fax:  (218) 262-7304
Mankato 12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 1650 Mankato, MN  56001-7706 Phone:  (507) 389-6507; 1-877-348-0508 Fax:  (507) 389-2746	Rochester 401 16th Street S.E. Rochester, MN  55904 Phone:  (507) 280-3562; 1-800-657-3950 Fax:  (507) 280-5535
St. Cloud 3400 First Street N., Suite 405 St. Cloud, MN  56303 Phone:  (320) 258-2050; 1-800-657-3749 Fax:  (320) 255-3951	St. Paul, metro office 443 Lafayette Road N. St. Paul, MN  55155 Phone:  (651) 284-5038; 1-888-772-5500 Fax:  (651) 284-5734