veterans benefits administration vocational rehabilitation & employment

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment


VR&E Program Purpose

• To provide services and assistance to Servicemembers and Veterans with service-connected disabilities– Assist Veterans in obtaining and maintaining suitable

employment– Help Veterans achieve independence in daily living

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VR&E Eligibility and Entitlement

• Active Duty Servicemembers:– Expect to receive a honorable discharge upon separation

from active duty– Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment services– Obtain a memorandum rating of 20% or more from VA– Entitlement based on establishment of employment

handicap resulting from SCD– Sec. 1631(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act (PL

110-181) established VR&E eligibility for severely injured active duty individuals before a VA rating is issued.

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VR&E Eligibility and Entitlement

• Veterans:– Honorable or other than dishonorable discharge– VA service-connected disability rating or memo rating of

10% or more– Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment services– Entitlement based on establishment of employment

handicap resulting from SCD– Serious employment handicap establishes entitlement for

veterans rated 10%

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Basic Benefit Information

• 48 months of entitlement– May be utilized within 12 years from the date of initial VA

disability rating notification– Exception for those with a Serious Employment Handicap

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VR&E Services

EmploymentEmploymentOrientationOrientationEmploymentEmploymentOrientationOrientation

EntitlementEntitlementDeterminationDeterminationEntitlementEntitlementDeterminationDetermination

Track Track SelectionSelection Track Track SelectionSelection

Re-EmploymentRe-EmploymentRe-EmploymentRe-Employment EmploymentEmploymentRapid AccessRapid AccessEmploymentEmploymentRapid AccessRapid Access

SelfSelfEmploymentEmploymentSelfSelfEmploymentEmployment

Employment Thru Employment Thru Long Term Long Term ServicesServices

Employment Thru Employment Thru Long Term Long Term ServicesServices

Independent Independent LivingLivingIndependent Independent LivingLiving

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Re-employment

• For individuals separating from active duty, National Guard, or Reserves

• Return to previous employers

• Services include:

– Job accommodations– Job modifications– Work adjustment assistance– Consultation with employer

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Rapid Access to Employment

• For individuals seeking employment soon after separation or who already have necessary skills to be competitive in the job market

• Services include: – Resume writing and job search assistance– Interviewing skills training– Job accommodations– Refresher courses– Licensure and certification– Post-employment adjustment services

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Self-Employment

• For individuals with limited access to traditional employment, or who need flexible work schedules or a more accommodating work environment due to their disabilities

• Services include: – Analysis of viability of business concept– Development of a business plan– Training in small business operations– Marketing assistance– Guidance on obtaining resources

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Employment ThroughLong-Term Services • For individuals needing specialized training and/or

education to obtain and maintain suitable employment

• Services may include:

– On-the-Job Training (OJT)– Apprenticeships and internships– Higher education or vocational training– Tuition/fees/books/tools– Subsistence allowance – Tutoring

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Independent Living

• For individuals not able to work who need rehabilitation services to live more independently

• Services include: – Comprehensive in-home assessment– Assistive technologies– Independent living skills training– Connection to community-based support services– Case management services– Coordination with VA’s Specially Adapted Housing Program

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Programs of Services

• Chapter 31– Services to obtain and maintain suitable employment and/or to

achieve maximum level of independence in daily living

• Chapter 35– Educational counseling for children and widows/spouses of veterans

who have a permanent and total service connected disability• Chapter 36

– Educational/vocational counseling• Chapter 18

– Vocational training and rehabilitation benefits for children born with Spina Bifida of certain veterans who served in Vietnam or Korea

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Chapter 36 Purpose and Scope

The purpose of Chapter 36 services is to provide professional, educational, vocational and career counseling services to Servicemembers, Veterans and dependents so they may do the following:

•Address problems that may interfere with achieving an academic/ vocational goal•Explore their patterns of abilities, skills and interests•Identify a career objective•Plan the best use of VA benefits (benefits coaching)•Develop a suitable program of education or training•Select an educational or training facility

he purpose of Chapter 36 services is to provide professional, educational, vocational and career counseling services to Servicemembers, Veterans and dependents so they may do the following:

•Address problems that may interfere with achieving an academic/ vocational goal

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Eligibility for Chapter 36 Services

The following is a list of persons eligible to receive Chapter 36 services:

1.Servicemembers who are within 180 days of anticipated discharge from active duty and individuals who are eligible for VA education benefits. 2.Veterans who are a.) within one year from the date of discharge or released from active duty AND b.) Veterans participating in any VA education assistance programs regardless of discharge date.3.Dependents who receive VA education benefits.

Every Veteran, Servicemember and qualifying dependent may receive Chapter 36 services as many times as requested as long as he/she is still eligible.he following is a list of persons eligible to receive Chapter 36 services:

1.Servicemembers who are within 180 days of anticipated discharge from

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Application Process

Servicemembers, Veterans and dependents who are interested in pursuing counseling services should request services by using VAF 28-8832.

We are pleased to announce that a new online application functionality in eBenefits through VonApp Direct Connect (VDC) will be available as of Monday, September 21, 2015. Veterans and Servicemembers will now be able to submit an online application for Education/Vocational Counseling

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VA-ONCE

• VR&E’s computer system now interfaces with the Education application, VA Online Certification of Enrollment (VA-ONCE)

• This change allows training facilities to electronically certify attendance and changes in enrollment

• Authorizations to school facilities will continue to be provided via mailed or faxed VA Form 28-1905

• Electronic VA Form 22-1999 or VA Form 22-1999b is accepted in lieu of VA Form 28-1905 for certification of enrollment

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VA-ONCE

• Gaining Access to VA-Once– Requires an MOU between the facility and VA– A unique login ID and password will be given to each

user at the facility

• VA Once User’s Guide and Training Resources– Available on the Internet:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/school_training_resources.asp

– Includes instructions for gaining access• MOU template required for access approval• Training resources for use of VA Once

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http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/school_training_resources.asp


VR&E School Payments

Invoices at a minimum must include:•Name of vendor, invoice date, invoice number, Vendor point of contact (name, title, and telephone number), Veteran’s name with clearly delineated costs per Veteran, description of service (tuition, fees, supplies, etc.), date or time period services/goods were provided to Veteran.

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Questions?

Thanks for all you do!!19

veterans benefits administration vocational rehabilitation & employment

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