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      What should I know about VR&E

      Eligibility for Veteran Readiness and Employment

      Learn about eligibility requirements for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)—formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. If you’re a service member or Veteran and have a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service and that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, you may be able to get employment support or services to help you live as independently as possible.

      If I’m a Veteran, am I eligible for Veteran Readiness and Employment?

      You’re eligible to apply for VR&E benefits and services if you meet both of these requirements: 

      All of these must be true:

      • You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
      • You have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA

      When we receive your VR&E application, we’ll schedule your initial evaluation with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). The VRC will determine if you’re entitled to receive VR&E benefits and services.  

      If you were discharged from active duty before January 1, 2013, your basic period of eligibility ends 12 years from one of these dates, whichever comes later:

      • The date you received notice of your date of separation from active duty, or
      • The date you received your first VA service-connected disability rating

      The basic period of eligibility may be extended if a VRC finds that you have a serious employment handicap (SEH). Having an SEH means your service-connected disability significantly limits your ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that doesn’t make your disability worse, is stable, and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests).

      If you were discharged from active duty on or after January 1, 2013, the 12-year basic period of eligibility doesn’t apply to you. There’s no time limit on your eligibility.

      If I’m still on active duty, am I eligible for Veteran Readiness and Employment?

      You may be eligible for VR&E benefits and services if you’re a service member and you meet at least one of these requirements.

      At least one of these must be true:

      • You have a 20% or higher pre-discharge disability rating (memorandum rating) and will soon leave the military, or
      • You’re waiting to be discharged because of a severe illness or injury that occurred while you were on active duty 

      Learn more about accessing VR&E services through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)

      Note: Severely injured active-duty service members can automatically receive VR&E benefits before VA issues a disability rating. This is according to Sec. 1631(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act (PL 110-181).

      Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD): If you have an illness or injury that you believe was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, you can file a claim for disability benefits through the BDD program 180 to 90 days before you leave active duty. This may help speed up the claim decision process so you can get your benefits sooner.

      Learn more about BDD and what to do if you have less than 90 days left on active duty

      Go to our video about BDD (YouTube)

      What should I do if I received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge?

      If you’ve received one of these discharge statuses, you may not be eligible for VA benefits.

      There are 2 ways you can try to qualify:

      Find out how to apply for a discharge upgrade

      Learn about the VA Character of Discharge review process

      How do I apply if I already have a VA disability rating?

      You can apply online right now.

      Apply for VR&E benefits

      Learn more about how to apply

      Note: You can apply if you’re a service member who hasn't received a disability rating yet.

      What kind of VR&E services can I get?

      Depending on your needs and goals, services may include:

      • A complete evaluation to determine your abilities, skills, and interests for employment
      • Professional or vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment services
      • Employment services such as job training, resume development, and other work-readiness support
      • Help finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives and job accommodations
      • On-the-job training (OJT), apprenticeships, and non-paid work experiences
      • Post-secondary education and training at a college, vocational, technical, or business school
      • Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling, and medical referrals
      • Independent living services to help you live as independently as possible

      If I’m eligible for GI Bill benefits, can I get paid the Post-9/11 GI Bill subsistence rate for my VR&E program?

      If you’re participating in a VR&E program, you can choose to get paid the GI Bill subsistence rate instead of the Chapter 31 subsistence allowance rate if you meet both of these requirements.

      Both of these must be true:

      • You have at least 1 day of entitlement remaining under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and
      • You’re within your GI Bill eligibility period 

      Note: In most cases, the GI Bill rate is higher.

      You’ll need to officially choose the GI Bill subsistence rate. Your VRC can help you with this.
      Contact your VRC for more information

      Check the current Chapter 31 subsistence allowance rates

      Check the current Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit rates

      Will VA deduct my VR&E benefits from my VA education entitlement?

      If you use VR&E benefits, we won’t deduct entitlement from your other VA education benefits, like the Post-9/11 GI Bill or the Montgomery GI Bill. 

      If you’ve used benefits under any other VA education program and then you use VR&E benefits, we’ll have to deduct from your remaining VR&E entitlement the amount of time used under the other VA education program. 

      But if you already used other VA education benefits and we determine that you’re eligible for VR&E, we may retroactively approve your previous months of entitlement and return them to the other VA education program. This is called “retroactive induction.” Ask your VRC if you meet the eligibility criteria for a retroactive induction.  

      Get more information

      We offer opportunities to get training and practical hands-on work experience at the same time through programs like:

      We also offer:

      More information about VR&E benefits and services

       

      Find out how to apply for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), formerly called VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. This program is also known as Chapter 31.

      You can still file a claim and apply for benefits during the coronavirus pandemic

      Get the latest information about in-person services, claim exams, extensions, paperwork, decision reviews and appeals, and how best to contact us during this time.
      Go to our coronavirus FAQs

      How do I apply if I already have a VA disability rating?

      You can apply online right now.

      Apply for VR&E benefits

      If you're eligible, we'll invite you to an orientation session at your nearest VA regional office.

      You can also apply:

      By mail

      Fill out an Application for Vocational Rehabilitation for Claimants with Service-Connected Disabilities (VA Form 28-1900).
      Get VA Form 28-1900 to download

      Send your completed application here:

      Department of Veterans Affairs
      VR&E Intake Center
      PO Box 5210
      Janesville, WI
      53547-5210

      In person

      Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee help you.
      Find a VA regional office near you

      With the help of a trained professional

      You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help applying for VR&E benefits.
      Get help filing your claim

      What if I’m a service member who hasn’t yet received a service-connected disability rating?

      You don’t need to wait for a rating. Instead, please fill out VA Vocational Rehabilitation - Getting Ahead After You Get Out (VA Form 28-0588).
      Get VA Form 28-0588 to download

      You may be eligible for VR&E benefits and services if you’re in at least one of the below situations.

      At least one of these must be true:

      • You’re going through the Physical Evaluation Board process, or
      • You’re expecting an other than dishonorable discharge and have a VA memorandum rating of 20% or more, or
      • You’re entered in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES).
        Learn more about accessing VR&E services through IDES

      Note: Severely injured active-duty service members can automatically receive VR&E benefits before VA issues a disability rating, because of Sec. 1631(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act (PL 110-181).

      Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD): If you have an illness or injury that you believe was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, you can file a claim for disability benefits through the BDD program 180 to 90 days before you leave active duty. This may help speed up the claim decision process so you can get your benefits sooner.

      Learn more about BDD and what to do if you have less than 90 days left on active duty

      Go to our video about BDD (YouTube)

      What happens after I apply?

      After you apply, we’ll schedule a meeting for you with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) to find out if you have an employment handicap and if you’re eligible for VR&E benefits and services. You have an employment handicap if your service-connected disability limits your ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that doesn’t make your disability worse, is stable, and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests).

      After we make an entitlement decision, you and your counselor will work together to develop a rehabilitation plan. This plan outlines the rehabilitation and other services that VR&E will provide.

      You can also meet with VRCs called VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) counselors at schools participating in the VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program.
      Learn more about VetSuccess on Campus

      If you disagree with a decision on your application for VR&E services and benefits, you can request a decision review. You can also manage any review requests or appeals you already filed.
      Request a decision review or manage a legacy appeal

      What’s included in a rehabilitation plan?

      A rehabilitation plan is a written plan that outlines the resources we’ll use to help you find employment. Depending on your situation, your VRC will work with you to choose one of the following support-and-services tracks to help you find and keep a job, and live as independently as possible:

      What happens after my VRC creates my rehabilitation plan?

      Your VRC will help you put your plan into action. They’ll also provide ongoing counseling and help you get tutorial assistance, job training, work-readiness support, and medical referrals.