What is Vocational Rehabilitation?
What does Vocational Rehabilitation do?
What services does Vocational Rehabilitation provide?
How do I qualify?
How long am I eligible?
How long can I receive assistance?
What kind of rehabilitation program can I take?
How much financial assistance can I expect?

WHAT IS VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION?

Vocational Rehabilitation is a program of services for service members and veterans with service-connected physical or mental disabilities. Often, these individuals experience limitations in getting and keeping a job as well as in their daily living activities.

WHAT DOES VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION DO?

This program can:
Prepare veterans for a suitable job
Help veterans get and keep that job
Assist veterans in becoming fully productive
and independent

WHAT SERVICES DOES VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROVIDE?

Some of the services and benefits which VA can provide include:

Evaluation of abilities and skills
Educational, vocational, and personal counseling
Education and training to qualify for suitable employment
Financial assistance while in training

Special help, such as:

Tutorial assistance
Readers for the visually impaired
Sign-language interpreters

Medical and dental treatment, to include:

Prosthetic devices
Other special equipment
Special restorative services

Employment counseling, career planning, and job placement assistance to become independent in daily living

HOW DO VETERANS QUALIFY?

Veterans are entitled to vocational rehabilitation services and benefits if they meet all of the following conditions:

1. They have a combined 20 percent* Va compensable disability rating as a result of active service on or after September 16, 1940;

2. They have received or will receive a discharge or release from active duty under other than dishonorable conditions;

3. They need rehabilitation services because they have an employment handicap; and

4. Their period of eligibility has not expired. (Even if their period of eligibility for full vocational rehabilitation benefits has passed, they may still receive services to assist them to find and adjust to employment.)

*NOTE: They may also be entitled if they have a 10 percent compensable disability rating and either (1) VA finds that this disability causes serious employment and personal problems; or (2) they first applied for vocational rehabilitation before November 1, 1990, are now reapplying for this benefit, and VA finds they have difficulty getting and keeping a suitable job.

HOW LONG ARE THEY ELIGIBLE?

If VA determines they are entitled to a program of rehabilitation services, they must normally complete their rehabilitation program within 12 years from the date VA notifies them that they have a qualifying compensable disability. They may still be able to take advantage of the program after the 12-year limit, however, if VA determines that they have a serious employment handicap of if certain conditions prevented them from receiving rehabilitation services.

HOW LONG CAN THEY RECEIVE ASSISTANCE?

They may receive services until they have reached their rehabilitation goal, but the training portion of a rehabilitation program may not exceed 48 months. Under exceptional circumstances, however, VA may grant an extension of these benefits. Most veterans pursue rehabilitation full-time, but part-time pursuit is also possible. Following training, VA may provide counseling, job placement, and post-placement services for up to 18 additional months.

WHAT KIND OF REHABILITATION PROGRAM CAN THEY TAKE?

They can take part in one or a combination of the following programs:

Employment services and assistance
Self-employment
Under special circumstances, training in a rehabilitation facility, a sheltered workshop, or in their own home.
Educational (college or university level) training
Apprenticeship or other on-job training
On-farm training
Independent living services

 

HOW MUCH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAN THEY EXPECT?

VA provides financial assistance under two options. Payment under either option is in addition to any compensation or other benefits to which they are entitled.

Under the most frequently used option (Chapter 31), VA will pay training expenses, including tuition, fees, necessary books, supplies and equipment and will provide them with a monthly subsistence allowance during training.

If they are eligible under the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), they may elect to receive payment at the rate they would receive if they were training under this bill. Under this option, however, they receive only a monthly educational assistance payment and they have to pay all their tuition, fees, books, supplies, and other training expenses. Other services are more limited than under the Chapter 31 option.

E-mail page specific or benefits specific questions/comments to:  stlouis.vrc@vba.va.gov

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Reviewed/Updated: 4/25/02