Vocational Training for Certain Veterans Receiving VA Pension

 

To assist new pension recipients to resume and maintain gainful employment by providing vocational training and other services.

Deleted 04/29/2005 (Provision has expired.) 64.123 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Direct Payments for Specified Use; Advisory Services and Counseling. Cases: There were five cases in fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year 2002 anticipates three cases. Public Laws 98-543, 100-687, 102-83, 102-291, 102- 568, 38 U.S.C. 1524. Veterans who are awarded a VA pension before January 1, 1996, who are in receipt of VA pension at the time they apply for vocational training, and for whom VA determines the achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible. Applications cannot generally be processed if VA received them after January 1,1996. Veterans who are awarded a VA pension before January 1, 1996, who are in receipt of VA pension at the time they apply for vocational training, and for whom VA determines the achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible. Veterans may request an evaluation to determine reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal. No application can be processed if VA received it on or after December 31, 1995. None. None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. An application (VA Form 28-8966) may be obtained from any VA office and returned to the regional office. Awards are authorized at the regional office for direct distribution to the beneficiaries. Generally, a veteran must have begun a program of vocational training and employment assistance between February 1, 1985, and December 31, 1995, the official period of this temporary program. No veteran may begin training on or after August 1, 1996, unless a rehabilitation plan was prepared and signed prior to that date. Average is 100 days. Available through special board. In the event of a denial of benefits, claimants are advised of their appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification of the denial. Average time for VA to process an appeal is 630 days. None. Direct payment for specified use: payments are made directly to the providers of goods and services for program participants; payments include tuition, fees, books, supplies, tutoring, professional services, and medical care if not available in a VA facility. The program provides for direct payment to service providers for the entire cost of tuition, books, fees, supplies, and other services. Counseling services are provided to the individual throughout participation in the program. The training phase of the program usually may not exceed 24 months and may not generally begin after January 1, 1996. The 24-month period may be extended to allow completion of the prescribed program under certain conditions. Following training, or instead of training, the veteran may be provided up to 18 months of employment assistance. Veterans who meet certain eligibility requirements may be provided an initial supply of goods and commodities to start a business. Earnings while in a vocational training program do count as income for pension, and may affect the amount received. However, a pensioner's eligibility for health care is protected for 3 years following loss of pension benefits because of income from work or training. The veteran's progress is monitored throughout the training program to assure that goals and objectives of the veteran's rehabilitation plan are carried out. The plan extends throughout the veteran's training program to include, when applicable, the securing of and adjusting to employment. None. None. Not applicable. Not applicable. See Appendix IV of Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling Service (28), Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-7419. http://www.va.gov 36-0154-0-1-701. (Direct Payments) FY 02 $20,000; FY 03 est $15,000; and FY 04 est $15,000. Actual costs of books, supplies, tuition and fees (does not include pension allowance). Not published or final; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-99-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00217-2. Not applicable.