EVALUATION:

If you have a VA combined service connected disability rating of 10 percent or more and you apply for vocational rehabilitation, we will schedule you for a comprehensive evaluation. As a first step during this evaluation interview, a counselor will work with you to answer three questions. For you to receive rehabilitation services and assistance under this program, the answers to all three questions must be "yes".

Do you meet the basic entitlement requirements in the next paragraph?

If you meet these requirements, is it reasonable to expect you to be able to reach an employment or independent living goal?

Are you within the time limit for receiving this benefit? (This is generally 12 years from the date VA notified you that you had at least a 10% service-connected disability.)

BASIC ENTITLEMENT REQUIREMENTS:

* An employment handicap means that you have difficulty in getting or holding a job that is suitable for your aptitudes, interests, and abilities, and is compatible with your disabilities. Your difficulty in getting and keeping a job must result in substantial part from your service-connected disability. A serious employment handicap means that this difficulty greatly limits your ability to get or hold a suitable job.

PLANNING AND COUNSELING: 

Your counselor must first determine that you meet the entitlement requirements and an employment or independent living goal is reasonably feasible. Then your counselor will help you develop a plan of services and assistance to assist you to reach your employment or independent living goal. Counseling will be available throughout your program to help you with problems that may arise. We will set up evaluation and counseling meetings at times convenient for you. We will pay your travel expenses to and from these meetings.

REHABILITATION SERVICE: 

Not all vocational rehabilitation programs involve training. You may only need employment services to help you get a suitable job. If a VA counselor determines that you need training to reach your vocational goal, your VA counselor will also determine the number of months of training you need. You may train in a vocational school, a special rehabilitation facility, an apprenticeship program, other on-job training position, a college, or a university. While you train, VA will provide the medical and dental care and treatment, employment assistance to get and keep a job, and other services you need. If a vocational goal is not currently feasible for you, VA may provide services and assistance to improve your capacity for independent living.

SUPPORT:

VA may pay for tuition, books, equipment, tools, or other supplies you need to succeed in your program. While training and for two months after you complete training and are looking for employment, you will receive a subsistence allowance to help you meet living expenses. The allowance you receive depends on your type of training, rate of attendance, and number of dependents. You will receive this allowance in addition to any VA compensation or military retired pay you receive.  Please follow this link for the current Subsistence Allowance that you might be entitled:

HOW TO APPLY OR RECEIVE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE:

To apply, submit a completed form VA 28-1900, Application for Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans, to the nearest VA office.  To download a copy of the application form, you will need to Adobe Acrobat reader installed in your PC. 

You may obtain additional information and assistance from any VA office - Tel 1 800-872-1000 .

Local representatives of veterans service organizations and the American Red Cross also have information and forms available.

PRIVACY ACT: 

VA may not pay this benefit unless VA completes a completed form (38 U.S.C 210(c)(1). VA needs the information this form requests to determine your entitlement to the benefit. VA may not use the information you provide on the form for any other purpose. VA will not release the information outside VA unless you authorize the release in writing or unless the Privacy Act allows the release, including the routine uses in the VA system of records, 58VA21/22, Compensation, Pension, Education, and Rehabilitation Records - VA, that we publish in the Federal Register. Generally, we will make a disclosure under a routine use to develop your claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits under title 38, U.S. Code. We may use computer matching programs with other agencies to verify information you submit. For example, VA may use computer matching to obtain employment status information. If you owe VA money, VA may also use computer matching to help collect the debt.