One of the many great services offered to Veterans through VA (Veteran’s Affairs) is Vocational Rehab & Employment / Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E). For eligible Servicemembers and Veterans who have service-related disabilities, the program provides employment assistance or assistance to achieve independent living for those unable to work.

What is Vocational Rehab for Veterans?

Vocational rehab provides services to Veterans and transitioning Servicemembers who have a disability that was caused while serving in the US military, which creates a barrier to employment or independent living.

The program offers five tracks to employment including re-employment with a previous employer, employment for those with existing skills, self-employment, education to gain skills and qualifications for employment, and an option for those unable to work but who need assistance with creating an independent life.

When you select a training program through VA, the associated costs for training and services will be paid for by VA. In addition, you may be eligible to receive a subsistence allowance. Subsistence allowance is financial support received during training based on full-time or part-time, number of dependents, and the type of training.

Vocational Rehab is commonly known by several names including:

  • Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
  • VR&E / VRE
  • Voc Rehab
  • Chapter 31
  • Veteran Readiness & Employment, which is the new rebranded name as of 2020

Veteran Readiness & Employment

Recently, VA consulted with Veterans, service members, employees and various Veterans organizations to improve their programs. They found that there was some stigma and confusion around the previous name “Vocational Rehabilitation” that may have been preventing some people from the potential of receiving services. As a result, the new name was created.

The services and goals have not changed but the new name better reflects what the program does and its mission of “to encourage, promote and support transitioning and service-connected disabled Veterans’ employment goals.”

Eligibility for Veterans and Servicemembers

To receive Vocational Rehab services, you must qualify under certain guidelines. First and foremost, you can’t have been, or expect to be, dishonorably discharged from military service. Additional requirements include

For Veterans:

  • VA service-connected disability rating of at least 20% with an employment handicap, or
  • 10% with a serious employment handicap

For Servicemembers:

  • Obtain a rating of 20% or more from the VA
  • Obtain a proposed Disability Evaluation System (DES) rating of 20% or more, or
  • Referral to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)

Eligibility Period for Vocational Rehab Services

VR&E benefits may be used within 12 years from the LATER of the following:

  • Date of separation from active military service, OR
  • Date of first notification from VA that the Veteran has a service-connected disability that is eligible for compensation.

Many Veterans are not aware of the specific language of the eligibility period and may miss out on potential benefits assuming that they’ve passed their time period.

VR&E Services

Employment seeking services such as resume building, interviewing skills, and work readiness assistance are just some of the benefits of Vocational Rehab for Veterans.

One can also expect on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and direct job placement opportunities.

Additionally, individuals can receive education and training through a college, vocational, technical, or business school. This is one of the most common retraining services utilized and the cost of tuition, books and fees are generally covered by VA.

For those who have disabilities that prevent them from being able to work entirely, VA offers services that can help those individuals gain better independence in daily living.

Program lengths are generally offered for up to 48 months of full-time services, or the part-time equivalent. For those seeking independent living assistance, the program is up to 30 months.

For additional information about Vocational Rehab for Veterans, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/

SOURCES:

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Chapter 3 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. Retrieved June 22, 2021 from https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/benefits_chap03.asp

VAntage Point Contributor. VR&E gets a new name, focuses on readiness

July 6, 2020. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Retrieved June 22, 2021 from https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/76632/vre-gets-new-name-focuses-readiness/

DisabledVeterans.org. Quick Facts – Applying For VA Vocational Rehabilitation. Retrieved June 22, 2021 from https://www.disabledveterans.org/vocational-rehabilitation/