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Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans
When employment is not reasonably
The Department of Veterans Affairs strives for excellence in patient care and veteran's benefits for its constituents through high quality, prompt and seamless service to United States veterans.
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The program offers the services and assistance necessary for an individual to increase their level of independence in daily living, or obtain and retain suitable employment.
This is employment that matches the individual's aptitudes, interests, and abilities and does not worsen the individual's disabilities.
An individual may reach an employment goal directly by receiving job seeking and job placement services.
If direct placement is not possible, the program provides education or training to qualify the individual for employment.
If the individual requires education or training, the program provides for direct payment to service providers for the entire cost of tuition, books, fees, supplies, and other services.
As part or all of a rehabilitation program, individuals may receive services and training designed to help them increase their level of independence in their homes and communities.
Counseling services are provided to the individual throughout his or her participation in the program.
In addition to disability compensation, the veteran receives a monthly subsistence allowance when participating in training at least half-time.
Advances of up to $1,041.48 may be made to veterans to meet unexpected financial difficulties.
These advances do not bear interest and are repaid out of future VA benefit payments.
Although no set repayment period is established, the monthly rate of repayment may not generally be less than 10 percent.
In general, a new advance may not be made until a previous advance has been fully repaid.
Usually, the training phase of the rehabilitation program may not exceed the equivalent of 48 months of full-time benefits nor may training be provided more than 12 years after the individual becomes eligible to apply for the program.
Following training, or sometimes as the whole of a rehabilitation program, the veteran may also receive up to 18 months of counseling, job placement and post-placement services.
The veteran may receive an employment adjustment allowance equal to 2 months of subsistence during this period of services, but only if employability was achieved as a result of services received in a program which included training.
Veterans who meet certain requirements may receive assistance to become self-employed.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Veterans of World War II and later service with a service-connected disability or disabilities rated at least 20 percent compensable and certain service-disabled servicepersons pending discharge or release from service if VA determines the servicepersons will likely receive at least a 20 percent rating and they need vocational rehabilitation because of an employment handicap.
Veterans with a 10 percent service-connected disability may be eligible if they first applied for vocational rehabilitation prior to November 1, 1990, and they have an employment handicap.
In addition, veterans with compensable ratings of 10 percent may also be eligible if they are found to have a serious employment handicap.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Veterans of World War II and later service with a service-connected disability or disabilities rated at least 20 percent compensable and certain service-disabled servicepersons pending discharge or release from service if VA determines the servicepersons will likely receive at least a 20 percent rating and they need vocational rehabilitation because of an employment handicap. Veterans with compensable ratings of 10 percent may also be eligible if they are found to have a serious employment handicap.
Credentials/Documentation
No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Obtain an application (VA Form 28-1900) from any VA office or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submit it to the nearest VA regional office. Applications can also be filed on line at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp.
Award Procedures
Awards are authorized at the regional office for direct distribution to beneficiaries.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Veterans' Rehabilitation and Education Amendments of 1980, Public Law 96-466, 38 U.S.C 3102.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 30 to 60 days. Average is 47.4 days.
Appeals
Available through special board. Average time to process an appeal is 622 days. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Renewals
Under certain limited circumstances, a veteran's eligibility period can extend beyond 12 years and entitlement to training and subsistence can be longer than 48 months.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this program. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not Applicable.
Audits
No audits are required for this program.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-4112-0-3-702; 36-0137-0-1-702; 36-4114-0-3-702.
Obigations
(Direct Loans) FY 11 Not Available; FY 12 Estimate Not Available; and FY 13 Estimate Not Available - Loan Advances. (Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 11 Not Available; FY 12 Estimate Not Available; and FY 13 Estimate Not Available
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Full cost of tuition, books, fees, supplies and rehabilitation services. Monthly full-time allowances for veterans participating in training during fiscal year 2009 range from $541.05 for a single veteran to $790.87 for a veteran with two dependents, plus $57.65 for each dependent in excess of two. Non-interest bearing loans of up to $1,082.10 and a work-study allowance not to exceed the higher of 25 times the Federal or State minimum hourly wage times the number of weeks in the enrollment.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
38 CFR 21.40-21.47; 'Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents,' VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00233-4. 'Vocational Rehabilitation - Your Key to an Independent Future,' VA Pamphlet 28-82-1, free, available from any VA regional office, and 'Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program Quick Series', LUXART COMMUNICATIONS - GSA contract: GS-02F-0276P, www.quickseries.com/mil, Telephone: (1 800) 361-4653.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters Office
Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20420 Phone: 202-461-9600
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Direct payment for specified use; payments are made directly to the providers of goods or services for program participants; payments include tuition, fees, books, supplies, tutoring, professional services, and medical care if not available in a VA facility; advances are made to program participants to meet unexpected financial obligations which might hinder continued program progress.
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