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.
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.
