Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services for Veterans with Disabilities
Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) is an employment-oriented program that helps transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans with service-connected disabilities and employment handicaps to prepare for, find, and keep suitable employme...
What is Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services for Veterans with Disabilities?
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) is an employment-oriented program that helps transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans with service-connected disabilities and an employment handicap to prepare for, obtain and maintain suitable employment. Services may include employment assistance, short or long-term training, purchase of required supplies and equipment, and on-the-job training.
For Servicemembers and Veterans with compensable service-connected disabilities so severe that they may not be able to work, the program offers services to improve their ability to live independently to the maximum extent possible in their homes and community. The support these Veterans are provided may eventually enable them to return to work.
VR&E utilizes the five tracks to employment model in the provision of services. These tracks are:
- Reemployment
- Rapid Access to Employment
- Self-Employment
- Independent Living Services
- Employment through Long-Term Services
Program Requirements
To receive the benefits from this program, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- A Veteran with a combined service-connected disability (SCD) rating of at least 20 percent or higher and meets the criteria for an employment handicap
- A Veteran with a combined SCD rating of 10 percent and meets the criteria for a serious employment handicap
- A Servicemember who is awaiting discharge due to a medical condition resulting from a serious injury or illness from active duty. (Automatic entitlement is based on documentation from military service and not based on a VA disability rating or memorandum rating.)
- A Servicemember who is awaiting discharge, has obtained a VA memorandum rating of 20 percent or more, and expects to receive an honorable discharge upon separation from active duty
Note: A Veteran’s character of discharge must be other than dishonorable discharge or release. Other than dishonorable discharge include general discharge, honorable discharge, and under honorable conditions.
Reservists and National Guard members who are activated for Federal service or who are disabled while on training status are considered Veterans.
Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are considered to be active duty members, and Veterans, once discharged.
Application Details
What is the application process for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services for Veterans with Disabilities?
The quickest way is to apply online at the eBenefits website and click on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. You may also submit a completed application (VAF 28-1900) at the local VA Regional or outbased office, or mail the completed application to the closest Regional Office.