Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), formerly Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, is a VA program under Chapter 31 that helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain suitable employment or achieve independence in daily living. Unlike the GI Bill, VR&E provides comprehensive support including tuition, books, supplies, subsistence allowance, resume development, job placement, and assistive technology.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Verify eligibility — You must have a service-connected disability rated at 10% or more that creates an employment handicap; if rated 20%+, an employment handicap is presumed; you must not have a di...
- Check your basic period of eligibility — Generally 12 years from the date of VA notification of service-connected disability rating or discharge (whichever is later); extensions are available for s...
- Apply for VR&E — Submit VA Form 28-1900 (Application for Veteran Readiness and Employment) online at va.gov, by mail, or in person at your local VA Regional Office
- Attend initial evaluation — A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) will meet with you to assess your abilities, interests, disabilities, and employment barriers
- Entitlement determination — The VRC determines whether an employment handicap exists (your service-connected disability impairs your ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain suitable employment)
- Select a service track — VR&E offers five tracks:
- Reemployment: return to your previous employer with accommodations
- Rapid Access to Employment: already have the skills, just need job search assistance
- Self-Employment: start your own business
- Employment Through Long-Term Services: education or training needed for a new career
Common Mistakes
- Thinking VR&E is just another education benefit
- Not applying because you already used GI Bill
- Choosing the wrong track
- Not understanding subsistence allowance
- Assuming 10% disability means automatic acceptance
Pro Tips
- VR&E can pay for graduate school
- VR&E provides more than tuition
- Self-employment track can fund your business
- 48 months of full-time training is standard
- Post-employment support lasts up to 60 months