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 to get and keep a suitable job. When employment is not reasonably feasible, the program can provide the needed services and assistance to help the individual achieve maximum independence in daily living.
General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
64.116
Federal Agency/Office
Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
C - Direct Payments For Specified Use; D - Direct Payments With Unrestricted Use; E - Direct Loans
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2022 VR&E services include most independent living services, career counseling, medical referrals, and non-training evaluation services such as assistive technology evaluations. Through outreach and early intervention efforts, some VR&E participants are still on active duty and in the process of separating from the military. VR&E can assist Service members with a disability by providing evaluation, rehabilitation services, training, and case management. Service members are not eligible for subsistence allowance payments until they have completed their separation from the military and are considered a Veteran.
Authorization
Veterans' Rehabilitation and Education Amendments of 1980, Public Law 96-466, 38 U.S.C. 3102
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
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.
Beneficiary Eligibility
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.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Obtain an application (VA Form 28-1900) from any VA office or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submit it to the nearest VA regional office. Applications can also be filed on line at . https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/how-to-apply/
Award Procedure
Awards are authorized at the regional office for direct distribution to beneficiaries.
Deadlines
https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/index.asp
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 30 to 60 days. Average as of Fiscal Year 2022 is 37 days.
Appeals
In the event of a denial or disagreement, a notification letter will advise of applicable review/appeal options, associated filing requirements and time limits.
Renewals
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.
How are proposals selected?
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.
How may assistance be used?
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 $1,260 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.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
None.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices. https://vbaw.vba.va.gov/vocrehab/directory.asp
Headquarters Office
Dorothy Williams
Veterans Readiness & Employment Service
Washington, DC 20420 USA
dorothy.williams1@va.gov
Phone: (202) 461-9600
Website Address
https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/index.asp
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-4114-0-3-702
Obligations
(Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 22$696,848,379.00; FY 23 est $709,729,528.00; FY 24 est $650,922,972.00; FY 19$1,387,614,000.00; FY 20 est $1,447,288,000.00; FY 21 est $1,542,002,000.00; FY 13 Estimate Not Available FY 11 Estimate Not Available FY 12 Estimate Not Available - (Direct Loans) FY 22$1,269,339.00; FY 23 est $770,113.00; FY 24 est $601,108.00; FY 19$1,162,090.00; FY 20 est $2,008,233.00; FY 21 est $2,469,522.00; FY 13 Estimate Not Available FY 11 Estimate Not Available FY 12 Estimate Not Available - Loan Advances
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Full cost of tuition, books, fees, supplies and rehabilitation services. - Monthly full-time Chapter 31 allowances for veterans participating in training during fiscal year 2022 range from $723.56 for a single veteran to $1,057.65 for a veteran with two dependents, plus $77.07 for each dependent in excess of two. - A non-interest- bearing loan of up to $4,200.00 and a work-study allowance not to exceed the higher of 25 times the Federal or State minimum hourly wage times the number of weeks in the enrollment.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
38 CFR 21.40-21.47; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00233-4.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.