$4,644 Additional Per Month - You must do this to get it! #va #veterans #disability #benefits

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)

Subsistence Allowance Rates
In some cases, Veterans participating in the VR&E program may receive a subsistence allowance while they pursue an educational or training program in preparation for a future career. The subsistence allowance is paid each month based on the rate of attendance in a training program (full-time, three-quarter time, or half-time), the number of dependents, and the type of training. If a Veteran qualifies for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, they may be eligible to receive the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for subsistence.

Institutional; Nonpay or nominal pay work experience in a facility of a Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe agency; Improvement of Rehabilitation Potential:

Full-Time
$768.42 NO DEPENDENTS
$953.15 ONE DEPENDENT
$1,123.23 TWO DEPENDENTS
$81.85 EACH ADDITIONAL DEPENDENT

BAH FOR E5 with Dependents Zip 94105
$4,644.00 per month

[crneymar]

To save you 13 minutes: you get BAH with VR&E just like the GI bill, the $4644 number is just the san fransisco BAH number.

[azimuthbusinesscenter]

All honorably discharged veterans should get E-1 base pay for life or their disability rating, whichever is higher. All 100 percent P&T should automatically get SSDI

[SoggyWheat]

I am currently a student using my VR&E. The VA gave me a brand new laptop and printer and paid my tuition and book fees. I am only taking one course this semester but as a halftime student I would receive $800 a month. And that’s on top of my wife and my three children using my GI Bill. I don’t have anything negative to say about the VA. They have supported my family and I since day 1 of my military retirement.

[mrcooper]

I just got let go from my job and then I was finally reward back pay. It was a blessing from God

[ekintheusa]

***Definitely need to mention you have to go to at least one on-campus class to get the whole amount. If you get accepted into an online program it's around $1000 a month

[BjorkL]

I hated my VocRehab counselor. He was condescending and passive aggressive, but I felt like I was stuck with him.

[John-yvvo]

I applied twice and was denied twice. I was wanting to get my A&P license on the first one but ended up paying out of pocket since I was denied. The second one I applied for was to get a CDL and I was denied for that to. I am currently employed but I know I’m getting laid off soon, so I thought I could go ahead and get certifications to help me get another job after I lose this one so I’m not unemployed. If you’re not currently unemployed you will not qualify. If you have a degree you most likely will not qualify. The more assets you have on a resume minimizes your chances, because they see it as you having an easier time getting a job with what you already have as opposed to to making yourself more marketable

[anthonycandelaria]

I got hurt in 1985. Service connected. Now there sending me to school. Applied through VA.gov. took about a month. They even bought me a computer. 😊

[joegonzales]

Interesting to hear such different experiences with the same programs. I heard about VR and E shorty after retiring. I contacted them and was accepted within a few days. After 2 month certification school was completed., they paid for all of the equipment I needed to start my new job as well.
I also have heard horror stories about the VA when applying for disability ratings. I also had no issues there, and had a rating about 4 weeks after retiring. I guess I just got lucky with them.

[bruceschwartz]

I've had 100%total and permanent for 9 years 6 months

[danielmontalvo]

great information.

you need to know how to share your screen and use the upper left or right section to show your screen while you talk. This will enhance the video and attention of the viewer.

Good job

[jilliansherrard]

Sir…I only find out stuff because of you..thank you

[lunatik]

Saving y’all time… You get BAH if you have any GI bill left and if you get accepted into the VOCRehab/VR&E program.

[gerardl]

Great video. That BLOWS for vets that had GI bill before 911. We just get screwed.

[Puertoricanmarriedtofilipina]

I have about 25 or 27 days left on my GI Bill

[davidceballos]

I’ve been denied 4 times over 8 years just barely made 20% I have tons of things on my record. I’ve been thru veterans benefit guide etc etc. it’s so hard to get increase in anything or get any help at all with anything.

[will-beck]

VR&E is an excellent program if you’re accepted into it. Gotta get a referral from your PCP. That being said, your Voc Rehab counselor has the annoying power to dictate what you can and cannot specialize in with school.

They wouldn’t let me attend Wyotech for custom automotive builds (what I did before the military) because it could further aggravate my disabilities (back, shoulders).

What was interesting is the counselor had no problem getting me signed up. For Culinary school where I eventually earned my Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Management; costing the VA almost 6 figures. With herniated and bulging discs, my back lasted a year in that profession (that I didn’t even want to do). Now, I’m sitting here with a $100k piece of paper that can’t actually translate to gainful employment.

[jaysinrd]

I'm 100% p&t, had fulltime caregiver, then moved to the UK and got booted out of the caregiver program and the va basically said you're on your own. no clue what I'm eligible for living here. Probably past my dates since I got out in 2008

[koalafan]

Not everyone can do that. I can’t. I’ve used all my post 911 and I’m on SSDI so I can’t work anyway.

[FindingFinley]

So many things have no limits for post-9/11 soldiers(Gi Bill, VR&E). As a Gulf War guy, I find it extremely unfair. Due to health issues, I couldn't use all of my Mongomery GI Bill, and it expired. Now, I get to watch younger people enjoy permanent benefits. Why wouldn't they give that to all veterans?