Veteran Readiness and Employment

To provide all services and assistance necessary to enable Veterans with service-connected disabilities and service members hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care services or treatment for a service- connected disability pending discharge

https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/index.asp

Veterans of World War II and later service with a service-connected disability or disabilities rated at least 20 percent compensable and certain service-disabled servicepersons pending discharge or release from service if VA determines the servicepersons will likely receive at least a 20 percent rating and they need vocational rehabilitation because of an employment handicap. Veterans with a 10 percent service-connected disability may be eligible if they first applied for vocational rehabilitation prior to November 1, 1990, and they have an employment handicap. In addition, Veterans with compensable ratings of 10 percent may also be eligible if they are found to have a serious employment handicap.

Veterans of World War II and later service with a service-connected disability or disabilities rated at least 20 percent compensable and certain service-disabled Service members pending discharge or release from service if VA determines the Service members will likely receive at least a 20 percent rating and they need vocational rehabilitation because of an employment handicap. Veterans with compensable ratings of 10 percent may also be entitled if they are found to have a serious employment handicap.

The program offers the services and assistance necessary for an individual to increase their level of independence in daily living, or obtain and retain suitable employment. This is employment that matches the individual's aptitudes, interests, and abilities and does not worsen the individual's disabilities. An individual may reach an employment goal directly by receiving job seeking and job placement services. If direct placement is not possible, the program provides education or training to qualify the individual for employment. If the individual requires education or training, the program provides for direct payment to service providers for the entire cost of tuition, books, fees, supplies, and other services. As part or all of a rehabilitation program, individuals may receive services and training designed to help them increase their level of independence in their homes and communities. Counseling services are provided to the individual throughout his or her participation in the program. In addition to disability compensation, the veteran receives a monthly subsistence allowance when participating in training at least half-time. Advances of up to $1,580 may be made to veterans to meet unexpected financial difficulties. These advances do not bear interest and are repaid out of future VA benefit payments. Although no set repayment period is established, the monthly rate of repayment may not generally be less than 10 percent. In general, a new advance may not be made until a previous advance has been fully repaid. Usually, the training phase of the rehabilitation program may not exceed the equivalent of 48 months of full-time benefits nor may training be provided more than 12 years after the individual becomes eligible to apply for the program. Following training, or sometimes as the whole of a rehabilitation program, the veteran may also receive up to 18 months of counseling, job placement and post-placement services. The veteran may receive an employment adjustment allowance equal to 2 months of subsistence during this period of services, but only if employability was achieved as a result of services received in a program which included training. Veterans who meet certain requirements may receive assistance to become self-employed.

The program offers the services and assistance necessary for an individual to increase their level of independence in daily living, or obtain and retain suitable employment. This is employment that matches the individual's aptitudes, interests, and abilities and does not worsen the individual's disabilities. An individual may reach an employment goal directly by receiving job seeking and job placement services. If direct placement is not possible, the program provides education or training to qualify the individual for employment. If the individual requires education or training, the program provides for direct payment to service providers for the entire cost of tuition, books, fees, supplies, and other services. As part or all of a rehabilitation program, individuals may receive services and training designed to help them increase their level of independence in their homes and communities. Counseling services are provided to the individual throughout his or her participation in the program. In addition to disability compensation, the veteran receives a monthly subsistence allowance when participating in training at least half-time. Advances of up to $1,580 may be made to veterans to meet unexpected financial difficulties. These advances do not bear interest and are repaid out of future VA benefit payments. Although no set repayment period is established, the monthly rate of repayment may not generally be less than 10 percent. In general, a new advance may not be made until a previous advance has been fully repaid. Usually, the training phase of the rehabilitation program may not exceed the equivalent of 48 months of full-time benefits nor may training be provided more than 12 years after the individual becomes eligible to apply for the program. Following training, or sometimes as the whole of a rehabilitation program, the veteran may also receive up to 18 months of counseling, job placement and post-placement services. The veteran may receive an employment adjustment allowance equal to 2 months of subsistence during this period of services, but only if employability was achieved as a result of services received in a program which included training. Veterans who meet certain requirements may receive assistance to become self-employed.

Direct payment for specified use; payments are made directly to the providers of goods or services for program participants; payments include tuition, fees, books, supplies, tutoring, professional services; advances are made to program participants to meet unexpected financial obligations which might hinder continued program progress.

Awards are authorized at the regional office for direct distribution to beneficiaries.

https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/index.asp

From receipt of enrollment certification to authorized award, the FY25 average was 7.2 days.

Under certain limited circumstances, a veteran's eligibility period can extend beyond 12 years and entitlement to training and subsistence can be longer than 48 months.

In the event of a denial or disagreement, a notification letter will advise of applicable review/appeal options, associated filing requirements and time limits.