In an effort to assist veterans with service-connected disabilities, the VA offers rehabilitation services through its Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) benefit program. The VR&E program is in place to assist veterans with employment limitations they may have due to their service-connected disabilities.

If a veteran is living with a severe disability that they would not be able to sustain employment, VR&E also provides services to help the veteran establish and maintain independent living goals.

In order to be eligible to apply, a veteran must have a discharge that is other than dishonorable, and must have a service-connected rating of at least 20 percent. In some cases, a service-connected rating of 10 percent establishes eligibility if the disabilities are determined to be a severe encumbrance on employment.

Eligible veterans must apply for the VR&E program within 12 years of the date in which they separated from active military duty, or obtained their qualifying service-connected rating. If there are extenuating circumstances due to restrictive medical conditions, which prevented the veteran from applying for and/or utilizing these benefits, the veteran may file a claim to request an extension of the eligibility period.

The veteran will be assigned a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor who will work closely with the veteran to assess his or her various abilities, limitations, interests, and skills in order to develop a detailed plan for rehabilitation to either reenter the workforce or feasibly live independently.

The Counselor will frequently meet with their veteran throughout the entire program to provide various counseling, to coordinate services for training and education, and to assess and obtain any other essential supplies, placement services, program specific and/or subsistence allowances, assistive technology devices, or many other specialized services in support of the veteran’s rehabilitation.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the veteran in order to provide him or her with the fundamental tools to reach their goals as outlined in the rehabilitation program. The veteran’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program benefits are not to exceed a period of 48 months.

To apply for the program online or obtain additional information please visit
http://vetsuccess.gov/va_vre_and_vetsuccess.

Melanie Cercone
Veterans Service Representative