Benefit Programs (continued) >>
Benefit
Programs (continued)
Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment
Eligibility |
Services |
Entitlement |
Period of a Rehabilitation Program |
Work Study
Program for Unemployable Veterans
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment is an employmentoriented program that helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable employment. Suitable employment is work that is within the veterans' physical, mental and emotional capabilities and matches their patterns of skills, talents and interests. For veterans whose disabilities make employment unlikely, VA helps them attain as much independence in daily living as possible. Additional information is available on the Internet at (http://www.vba.va.gov).
Eligibility
A
veteran must have a VA established service-connected disability
of at least 10 percent with a serious employment handicap or 20
percent with an employment handicap and be discharged or released
from military service under other than dishonorable conditions.
A service member pending medical separation from active duty may
apply, but the disability rating must be at least 20 percent.
Services
Depending
on an individual's needs, services provided by VA may include:
- An evaluation
of the individual's abilities, skills and interests;
- Assistance
getting and keeping suitable employment;
- Vocational
counseling and planning;
- Training,
such as on-the-job and work experience programs;
- Training,
such as certificate, two, or four-year college or technical
programs;
- Supportive
rehabilitation services and additional counseling.
VA
pays the cost of these services and pays a living allowance to
veterans who participate in a training program.
Entitlement
Eligible
veterans are evaluated to determine if they need vocational rehabilitation
services to help overcome barriers to employment.
Period
of a Rehabilitation Program
Generally,
veterans must complete a vocational rehabilitation program within
12 years from their separation from military service or within
12 years from the date VA notifies them that they have a compensable
service-connected disability. Depending on the length of program
needed, veterans may be provided up to 48 months of full-time
services or their part-time equivalent. These limitations may
be extended in certain circumstances.
Work
Study
Participants may be paid a work-study allowance if they train at the three-quarter or full-time rate. They may elect to be paid in advance a portion of the allowance equal to 40 percent of the total. Participants under the supervision of a VA employee may provide VA outreach services, prepare and process VA paperwork, and work at a VA medical facility or perform other VA-approved activities.
Program
for Unemployable Veterans
Veterans
awarded 100 percent disability compensation based upon unemployability
may still request an evaluation. If they are found eligible, they
may participate in a vocational rehabilitation program and receive
help in getting a job. A veteran who secures employment under
the special program will continue to receive 100 percent disability
compensation until the veteran has worked continuously for at
least 12 months.
Benefit Programs (continued) >>
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