Jobs for Veterans State Grants

The Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program provides federal funding through a formula grant to state agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Recipients use thi

The JVSG program supports the Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist position, Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) staff, and Consolidated DVOP/LVER (CODL) staff. DVOP specialists provide individualized career services to veterans with employment barriers, with the maximum emphasis directed toward serving veterans who are economically or educationally disadvantaged. LVER staff conduct outreach to employers and business associations and engage in advocacy efforts with hiring executives to increase employment opportunities for veterans and encourage the hiring of veterans with a disability. CODL staff serve in a dual role as DVOP and LVER.

The state administrative entity designated by each Governor may apply for this grant. In most cases, this is the state workforce agency. Entities who are eligible to apply for this assistance are notified directly when it is time for them to apply for annual funding. This assistance is not available for individuals or non-governmental organizations. To access services available under this grant, visit our website at www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/veterans/findajob.

Eligible veterans (per 38 USC 4211(4)) and eligible persons (per 38 USC 4101(5)) who would like one-on-one career counseling or group training and are experiencing any of the following employment barriers: • A disability: has a US Department of Veterans Affairs service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, released from service due to a disability, or has disability per the Americans with Disabilities Act • Vietnam-era veteran: active duty between 8/5/64-5/7/75, or served in the Republic of Vietnam between 11/1/55-5/7/75 • Recently separated veteran: released from active duty within the last three years • Referred for employment services by a representative of the US Department of Veterans Affairs • Experiencing homelessness: will soon lose, currently lacks, and/or cannot obtain fixed, regular, adequate, permanent housing; or attempting to flee domestic violence • Subjected to any stage of the criminal justice process • Between 18-24 years of age • Lacks high school diploma or equivalent • Unemployed and available to work • Receiving (or has received in last 6 months) public assistance through SNAP, TANF, SSI, or state/local income-based program • Total family income does not exceed the poverty line or 70% of the lower living standard income level, whichever is higher • Head of a single-parent household Beneficiaries may also include: • Transitioning service members who are within 1 year of separation or 2 years of retirement, and have participated in any part of the Transition Assistance Program • Wounded, ill, or injured service members who are receiving treatment at a Soldier Recovery Unit • A spouse or other family caregiver of such wounded, ill, or injured service members.

Funds must be used by States only for salaries, benefits, and reasonable expenses of Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists described in 38 U.S.C. 4103A; Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER) according to the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 4104; and consolidated DVOP/LVER (CODL) positions who are assigned a mix of DVOP and LVER duties according to the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 4102A(h).

JVSG funds may not be used for any purpose other than those described in Use of Award above.

Awarded annually, on a fiscal year basis (October through September), as funds are made available to DOL-VETS after the passage of a signed Federal appropriations bill or a continuing resolution. When a continuing resolution is passed, funds are usually provided incrementally. States have up to three fiscal years to expend each annual allocation.

Estimated funding allocations for states are calculated using the formula specified at 20 CFR 1001.150-152. States are notified of their next fiscal year's estimated allocations each spring. Grant recipients are required to follow current policy to submit an annual funding application by the first Friday each August. The application must include an approved four-year state plan that describes how the state will operate their program in accordance with 38 U.S.C. Chapter 41 and VETS policy.

Based on criteria in annual funding application guidance found at https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/files/VPL-03-23-JVSG-Annual-Funding-Applications.pdf.

Fiscal Year based formula level funds requested are approved annually by a Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration's Grant Officer based upon reviews and recommendations by VETS Regional Administrators and Directors for Veterans' Employment and Training (RAVETs and DVETs).

It typically takes 90 days from the application due date of the first Friday in August before the state agency receives funding. This range of time depends on 1) when VETS receives a complete, valid application package, and 2) when VETS receives funding after a continuing resolution or annual appropriation bill is signed.