1. (1) The department will determine whether good cause exists on a case-by-case basis.

2. (2) The department will grant an extension of time for good cause when there is a significant delay in the plan development process and the cause is beyond the worker's or vocational rehabilitation provider's control.

   Examples of causes that are beyond the worker's or provider's control include, but are not limited to:

   • A death in the worker's immediate family. For purposes of this section, immediate family is defined as spouse, domestic partner, child, grandchild, sibling, parent or grandparent.

   • Delays caused by documented changes in the worker's medical ability to participate in plan development.

   • Information received by the vocational rehabilitation provider that impacts plan development and was not available when assessment services were provided.

   • Documented delay in receipt of requested information from a medical provider relevant to developing the vocational plan.

   • The impact of previously identified barriers to employment and/or retraining.

3. (3) Noncooperation by a worker, pursuant to an order issued by the department under RCW 51.32.110 and WAC 296-14-410, is not good cause for granting an extension of time.

4. (4) If the department finds there is not good cause for the delay in submitting a vocational plan, the department may take action, including but not limited to:

   1. (a) Suspension of further vocational services if the worker has been found noncooperative under RCW 51.32.110 and WAC 296-14-410, until such noncooperative actions cease or have been cured.
   2. (b) Assignment of a new vocational provider.
   3. (c) Allowing the vocational rehabilitation provider to complete the referral with monitoring of further plan development services by the department or self-insured employer.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030, 51.32.095, 51.32.099 and 51.32.0991 (2007 c 72). WSR 08-06-058, § 296-19A-096, filed 2/29/08, effective 3/31/08.]