To
provide all services and assistance necessary to enable service-disabled
veterans and service persons 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 learn skills to achieve maximum
independence in daily living.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition
Direct Loans. Place Cursor Here for Definition
Advisory Services and Counseling. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
The
program offers the services and assistance necessary for an individual
to 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 employment search
and work adjustment 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 live with a reduced
dependency on others 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. Advances of up to $896.48
may be made to veterans to meet unexpected financial difficulties.
These advances do not bear interest and are repaid out of future
VA or military 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 4 years 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 an initial supply of goods and commodities
to start a small business.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
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
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 compensable ratings of
10 percent may also be eligible if they are found to have a serious
employment handicap.
Pre-application
Coordination: None. This program is excluded
from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: 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.
Award
Procedure: Awards are authorized at the regional
office for direct distribution to beneficiaries.
Deadlines:
Generally, vocational rehabilitation must be accomplished within
a basic 12-year period of eligibility. The 12-year period of eligibility
begins with the date of discharge, notification of establishment
of service-connected disability meeting the eligibility requirements,
or change in character of discharge, whichever is later.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Average is 88.7
days.
Appeals:
Available through special board. Average time to process an appeal
is 630 days. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of
appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
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.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: Not applicable.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Not applicable.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
The veteran's progress is monitored throughout the rehabilitation
program to assure that goals and objectives of the veteran's rehabilitation
plan are carried out. The plan extends throughout the veteran's
rehabilitation program to include, when applicable, the securing
of and adjusting to employment.
Obligations:
(Direct Payments) FY 01 $449,789,000; FY 02 est $436,638,000;
and FY 03 est $449,192,000; (Loan Advances) FY 01 $2,207,371;
FY 02 est $2,726,000; and FY 03 est $3,415,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
Full cost of tuition, books, fees, supplies and rehabilitation
services. Monthly full-time allowances range from $448.24 for
a single veteran to $655.20 for a veteran with two dependents,
plus $47.76 for each dependent in excess of two. Non-interest
bearing loans of up to $896.48 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 veteran's period
of enrollment.
In fiscal year 2001, 65,708 participated in vocational rehabilitation:
3,970 of these received loans. Estimates for subsequent periods
are: fiscal year 2002, 66,037 participants and 5,085 loans, and
fiscal year 2003, 66,367 participants and 5,300 loans.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
38 CFR 21.40-21.47; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents,"
VA Pamphlet 80-00-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents,
P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is:
051-000-00220-2. "Vocational Rehabilitation - Your Key to an Independent
Future," VA Pamphlet 28-82-1, free, available from any VA regional
office.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: See Appendix IV of the Catalog
for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters
Office: Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans
Benefits Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
Service (28), Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-7419.
Web
Site Address: http://www.va.gov
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Not applicable.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
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,
and medical care if not available in a VA facility; advances are
made to program participants to meet unexpected financial obligations
which might hinder continued program progress.
