FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

Public Laws 98-543, 100-687, 102-83, 102-291, 102- 568, 38 U.S.C. 1524.

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

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Advisory Services and Counseling. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

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.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   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.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   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.

Credentials/Documentation:   None.

Pre-application Coordination:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   An application (VA Form 28-8966) may be obtained from any VA office and returned to the regional office.

Award Procedure:   Awards are authorized at the regional office for direct distribution to the beneficiaries.

Deadlines:   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.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Average is 100 days.

Appeals:   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.

Renewals:   None.

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 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.

Audits:   None.

Records:   None.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   36-0154-0-1-701.

Obligations:   (Direct Payments) FY 01 $20,000; FY 02 est $15,000; and FY 03 est $15,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Actual costs of books, supplies, tuition and fees (does not include pension allowance).

Cases: There were five cases in fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year 2002 anticipates three cases.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

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.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   See Appendix IV of Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.

Headquarters Office:   Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling 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 and services for program participants; payments include tuition, fees, books, supplies, tutoring, professional services, and medical care if not available in a VA facility.