VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION VR&E Program Purpose To provide services and assistance to Servicemembers and Veterans with service- connected disabilities – Assist Veterans in obtaining and maintaining suitable employment – Help Veterans achieve independence in daily living 1

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION VR&E Eligibility and Entitlement Active Duty Servicemembers: – Expect to receive a honorable discharge upon separation from active duty – Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment services – Obtain a memorandum rating of 20% or more from VA – Entitlement based on establishment of employment handicap resulting from SCD – Sec. 1631(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act (PL ) established VR&E eligibility for severely injured active duty individuals before a VA rating is issued. 2

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION VR&E Eligibility and Entitlement Veterans: – Honorable or other than dishonorable discharge – VA service-connected disability rating or memo rating of 10% or more – Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment services – Entitlement based on establishment of employment handicap resulting from SCD – Serious employment handicap establishes entitlement for veterans rated 10% 3

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Basic Benefit Information 48 months of entitlement – May be utilized within 12 years from the date of initial VA disability rating notification – Exception for those with a Serious Employment Handicap 4

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION VR&E Services EmploymentOrientationEmploymentOrientation EntitlementDeterminationEntitlementDetermination Track Selection Selection Re-EmploymentRe-EmploymentEmployment Rapid Access Employment SelfEmploymentSelfEmployment Employment Thru Long Term Services Employment Thru Long Term ServicesIndependentLivingIndependentLiving 5

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Re-employment For individuals separating from active duty, National Guard, or Reserves Return to previous employers Services include: – Job accommodations – Job modifications – Work adjustment assistance – Consultation with employer 6

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Rapid Access to Employment For individuals seeking employment soon after separation or who already have necessary skills to be competitive in the job market Services include : – Resume writing and job search assistance – Interviewing skills training – Job accommodations – Refresher courses – Licensure and certification – Post-employment adjustment services 7

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Self-Employment For individuals with limited access to traditional employment, or who need flexible work schedules or a more accommodating work environment due to their disabilities Services include: – Analysis of viability of business concept – Development of a business plan – Training in small business operations – Marketing assistance – Guidance on obtaining resources 8

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Employment Through Long-Term Services For individuals needing specialized training and/or education to obtain and maintain suitable employment Services may include: – On-the-Job Training (OJT) – Apprenticeships and internships – Higher education or vocational training – Tuition/fees/books/tools – Subsistence allowance – Tutoring 9

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Independent Living For individuals not able to work who need rehabilitation services to live more independently Services include: – Comprehensive in-home assessment – Assistive technologies – Independent living skills training – Connection to community-based support services – Case management services – Coordination with VA’s Specially Adapted Housing Program 10

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Programs of Services Chapter 31 – Services to obtain and maintain suitable employment and/or to achieve maximum level of independence in daily living Chapter 35 – Educational counseling for children and widows/spouses of veterans who have a permanent and total service connected disability Chapter 36 – Educational/vocational counseling Chapter 18 – Vocational training and rehabilitation benefits for children born with Spina Bifida of certain veterans who served in Vietnam or Korea 11

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Chapter 36 Purpose and Scope The purpose of Chapter 36 services is to provide professional, educational, vocational and career counseling services to Servicemembers, Veterans and dependents so they may do the following: Address problems that may interfere with achieving an academic/ vocational goal Explore their patterns of abilities, skills and interests Identify a career objective Plan the best use of VA benefits (benefits coaching) Develop a suitable program of education or training Select an educational or training facility he purpose of Chapter 36 services is to provide professional, educational, vocational and career counseling services to Servicemembers, Veterans and dependents so they may do the following: Address problems that may interfere with achieving an academic/ vocational goal 12

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Eligibility for Chapter 36 Services The following is a list of persons eligible to receive Chapter 36 services: 1.Servicemembers who are within 180 days of anticipated discharge from active duty and individuals who are eligible for VA education benefits. 2.Veterans who are a.) within one year from the date of discharge or released from active duty AND b.) Veterans participating in any VA education assistance programs regardless of discharge date. 3.Dependents who receive VA education benefits. Every Veteran, Servicemember and qualifying dependent may receive Chapter 36 services as many times as requested as long as he/she is still eligible. he following is a list of persons eligible to receive Chapter 36 services: 1.Servicemembers who are within 180 days of anticipated discharge from 13

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Application Process Servicemembers, Veterans and dependents who are interested in pursuing counseling services should request services by using VAF We are pleased to announce that a new online application functionality in eBenefits through VonApp Direct Connect (VDC) will be available as of Monday, September 21, Veterans and Servicemembers will now be able to submit an online application for Education/Vocational Counseling 14

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION VA-ONCE VR&E ’ s computer system now interfaces with the Education application, VA Online Certification of Enrollment (VA-ONCE) This change allows training facilities to electronically certify attendance and changes in enrollment Authorizations to school facilities will continue to be provided via mailed or faxed VA Form Electronic VA Form or VA Form b is accepted in lieu of VA Form for certification of enrollment 15

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION VA-ONCE Gaining Access to VA-Once – Requires an MOU between the facility and VA – A unique login ID and password will be given to each user at the facility VA Once User’s Guide and Training Resources – Available on the Internet: – Includes instructions for gaining access MOU template required for access approval Training resources for use of VA Once 16

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION VR&E School Payments Invoices at a minimum must include: Name of vendor, invoice date, invoice number, Vendor point of contact (name, title, and telephone number), Veteran’s name with clearly delineated costs per Veteran, description of service (tuition, fees, supplies, etc.), date or time period services/goods were provided to Veteran. 17

Questions? Thanks for all you do!! 18