What is the Vocation Rehabilitation and Employment Program?
The DVA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E) is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 21. It is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 Program. The mission of VR&E is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find and keep suitable jobs. For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.
Services that may be provided by VR&E include:
- Comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills, interests and needs
- Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning
- Employment services such as job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance
- If needed, training such as On-the-Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships and non-paid work experiences
- If needed, post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school
- Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling and referral
Eligibility
The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E services may be used is 12 years from the latter oft he following:
- Date of separation from active military service, or
- Date the veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating
To receive an evaluation for VR&E services, a veteran must:
- Have received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable
- Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent
- Submit a completed application for VR&E services
Evaluation
After eligibility is determined, the veteran is scheduled to meet with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) for a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether the veteran is entitled to services. The comprehensive evaluation includes:
- An assessment of the veteran's interests, aptitudes and abilities
- An assessment of whether services connected-disabilities impart the veteran's ability to find and/or hold a job using the occupational skills he or she has already developed
- Vocational exploration and goal development