FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

Veterans' Rehabilitation and Education Amendments of 1980, Public Laws 96-466, 101-237, 101-508, 102-16, 102-83, 102-568, 104-275,38 U.S.C. 3102.

OBJECTIVES:

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 - 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.

Credentials/Documentation:   None.

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.

Audits:   None.

Records:   None.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   36-0137-0-1-702; 36-4114-0-3-702; 36-4112-0-3-702.

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 for veterans participating in training during fiscal year 2009 range from $541.05 for a single veteran to $790.87 for a veteran with two dependents, plus $57.65 for each dependent in excess of two. Non-interest bearing loans of up to $1,082.10 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 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 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20420 Phone: 202-461-9600

Web Site Address:  
https://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.

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