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Is a VA program that helps Veterans, Servicemembers, and certain eligible dependents attain employment.
Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) AKA Chapter 31 - Formerly Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Voc Rehab).
Is a VA program that helps Veterans, Servicemembers, and certain eligible dependents attain employment.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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VR&E is primarily an employment program NOT just a means to get a graduate level degree.
Eligibility
Veterans
Must meet ALL of the following requirements:
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Have a service connected disability of at least 10%
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SERIOUS employment handicap
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Received anything other than a dishonorable character of discharge
OR
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Have a service connected disability of at least 20%
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Employment handicap
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Received anything other than a dishonorable character of discharge
Servicemembers
Must meet ONE of the below criteria:
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Have a 20% or higher pre-discharge disability rating (memorandum rating) and will soon leave the military
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Are participating in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) process or awaiting discharge due to a medical condition resulting from a serious injury or illness that occurred in the line of duty
For for info: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/ides/
Certain children of Vietnam Veterans and Veterans with covered service in Korea
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For eligibility requirements click HERE.
Note:
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While everything that follows DOES apply to all eligible groups. Only Veterans will be mentioned to improve readability.
Duration of Program
VR&E may not exceed 48 months of use. UNLESS, a employment handicap exists and other conditions are meet.
Click HERE for more information.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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For Veterans who utilized their GI bill. The time spent using it WILL count against this 48 month limit!
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Certain children of Vietnam Veterans and Veterans with covered service in Korea have a max eligibility of 24 months instead of 48 months.
How to apply
There are two options to apply.
Online
To apply online click HERE.
If you just have to support the post office you may complete a VA Form 28-1900 and mail the completed form to:
Department of Veterans Affairs VR&E Intake Center P.O. Box 5210 Janesville, WI 53547-5210
Advanced Health care Coverage
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For the duration someone is involved in VR&E. They are entitled to dental care, so long as it is determined that having dental work is "necessary to develop, carry out and complete the rehabilitation plan".
Subsistence Allowance
Veterans doing tracks that have them doing some kind of educational or training program may be eligible for a monthly subsistence allowance. This allowance does vary based upon your rate of pursuit as well as type of program you are doing.
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Veterans who have AT LEAST ONE DAY of Post 9/11 GI Bill will receive Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at the E-5 with dependent rate for their location.
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Veterans who have exhausted their Post 9/11 GI Bill or simply don't have it will be paid at the standard chapter 31 subsistence allowance rate.
The BAH amount is far more generous than the standard rate.
To see the current rates for both click HERE.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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After graduation from an educational or training program you can be approved for up to an additional TWO MONTHS of subsistence allowance. Allowing you to seek employment and worry less about income.
Supplies
Supplies that the Veteran needs to pursue their rehabilitation and achieve their goals will be given.
Supplies could include but are not limited to:
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Books
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Camera
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Computer/Laptop
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Musical instruments
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Printer
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Protective clothing
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Tools
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Other supplies and equipment which VA determines are necessary for the veteran's rehabilitation program.
NOTE:
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For supplies needed, but not specifically required. The VA may approve the item. If they determine that the item, such as a calculator, while not required by the school for the pursuit of a particular school subject, is nevertheless necessary for the veteran to successfully pursue their program.
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VA will generally only provide any nonconsumable supplies only once.
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UNLESS, they are lost, stolen, misplaced, or damaged beyond repair through no fault of the Veteran.
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Tracks
There are a total of 5 tracks you can go down using VRE:
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Reemployment
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Rapid Access to Employment
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Self-Employment
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Employment Through Long-Term Services
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Independent Living
1. Reemployment
Assists Veterans in regaining employment with their former employer. This may be accomplished by providing the employer assistance/equipment in accommodating the Veteran.
NOTE:
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This track may only be used if it is determined the Veteran's former job is still suitable considering their existing disabilities.
2. Rapid Access to Employment
For Veterans who already have the skills, experience, and education needed to gain employment in their desired field. But they may be having difficulties in finding employment for one reason or another.
Examples of some of the tools that will be made available include:
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Assistance in job hunting
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Career counseling
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Interview prepping
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Resume creation/modification
NOTE:
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If the Veteran requires some short term certification training. It may be possible to obtain it via this track.
3. Self-Employment
Want to be your own boss? This track is all you.
Your counseling team will be there to assist you in developing a viable long term business plan.
Examples of some of the tools that will be made available include:
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Analysis of your business concept.
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Training in small-business operations, marketing, and finances.
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Tuition assistance to obtain needed certifications/licenses for the business.
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Financial assistance to cover applicable fees as well as related business startup costs.
NOTE:
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The VA MUST approve your business plan before they start offering you training/funding.
4. Employment Through Long-Term Services
For Veterans who need additional training or assistance to obtain and maintain long-term employment.
Examples of some of the tools that will be made available include:
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Assistance in job hunting
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Career guidance
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Higher level education - includes both undergraduate and graduate level degrees
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Job skill assessment
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Job-market evaluation
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Resume creation/modification
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Apprenticeship, on-the-job training, and volunteer opportunities
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Vocational Training
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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Again, VRE is primarily an employment program and NOT an educational program. As such, if you can reasonably obtain employment in your desired field with your current educational attainment. You will find it very difficult to get approved for something like a Masters degree.
5. Independent Living
For Veterans who's service-connected disabilities limit their ability to perform activities of daily living (like bathing, dressing, accessing the community, and interacting with others) and can’t return to work right away,
Veterans may use this track in conjunction with trying to obtain employment,
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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This track has advanced eligibility requirements:
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Must have a serious employment handicap; AND
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Disabilities prevent you from obtaining or returning to work; AND
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You need services to live as independently as possible.
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Examples of some of the tools that will be made available include:
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Evaluation and counseling to identify your needs and goals
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Referral to support resources
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Evaluation to see if you're eligible for the VR&E home adaptation grant. This ~$90,0000 grant is part of your rehabilitation plan to improve accessibility features in your home.
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Guidance to help you understand if you’re eligible for Other adaptive-housing programs.
FAQ
I'm having trouble with my Case Manager. What can I do?
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Click HERE to find the contact information for your Case Manager's boss at your nearest Regional Office.
Will I loose TDIU if I go through VR&E?
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No, only if after you complete the program you are able to maintain gainful employment for at least 12 continuous months.
If I use VR&E, can this result in my rating being reevaluated?
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No, using VR&E will NOT trigger a reevaluation.
Can I do VR&E if I am currently employed?
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Yes.
Can I do VR&E if I am TDIU
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Yes.