If you are so impaired by disability that you cannot work, your vocational rehabilitation program counselor and you will explore whether a plan of services can be developed to improve your quality of life and/or your ability to meet the demands of your day to day life with greater independence.

If your circumstances are found to meet these criteria you and your counselor will develop an Independent Living Plan (ILP).

The cause of your need for an ILP need not be primarily grounded in your service connected disability. Your service connected disability need only contribute to your having an employment handicap. The severity of disability in such cases may in fact be based on conditions predominantly non service connected.

Even though we are VA’s Job Program for Service Connected Disabled Veterans, we are equally committed to our Independent Living program. After all, our best outcome for an Independent Living Plan is to restore a level of independence that may open the door to potential employment. So if your disabilities have taken working out of either your immediate or long term future making an application to vocational rehabilitation still is your best bet.