DISABLED WHILE SERVING? LEARN HOW VR&E (CHAPTER 31) CAN HELP
The VR&E (Chapter 31) helps transitioning service members and Veterans dealing with disabilities and an employment handicap prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment. It’s a great program to help those reentering civilian life do so through opportunities that might not be available. Veteran employment can be a tricky field to navigate, and for those with disabilities, things can be even more complex. Learn more about this great resource and how Vets can take advantage when reentering the civilian workforce. Suggested read:14 Certifications for Jobs To Help You Find a Career After Military Service
Does VR&E Pay BAH?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) may be available to Veterans who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The allowance is paid based on the rate of attendance for the training program, the type of training, and the number of dependents. The goal of Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), previously known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, is to assist individuals in attending an appropriate university, vocational, technical, or business school in order to obtain the degree, certificate, or diploma they need to prepare them for the targeted career better. Two requirements must be met for eligibility to receive benefits through the VR&E program: a discharge other than dishonorable and a VA disability rating of at least 20%. You can only use the Veteran Readiness and Employment program for a limited amount of time. Depending on the date of the latest discharge or the date the VA was first notified of your disability rating, the eligibility period expires after 12 years.
Eligibility and Applying
Like virtually anything in the U.S. military, there are forms and portals here to help. Navigating eligibility and applying for VR&E benefits can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In short, you can apply for Veteran Readiness and Employment with VA Form 28-1900. But if you're just looking to see if you're eligible for the program, the VA is also ready to help. The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) orientation will help you better determine whether or not you're eligible for these benefits. Through the VA’s collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), determining eligibility is a much more seamless process. There are many different cases that can arise. It’s always best to check your eligibility using online tools.
How Much Does VR&E Pay?
Your monthly payment depends on a variety of factors. This includes the size of your family and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. VR&E benefits are larger for families with more dependents. The number of dependents may increase the amount of the monthly payment. The amount of the monthly subsistence allowance may also increase. While in the rehabilitation program full-time, a family could earn a maximum of $3,251.38 per month. Though this calculation is for someone with a spouse, mother, father, and 25 children as dependents. It's also possible for VR&E Veterans who are also eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill to opt to receive payments through this program, where in most cases, the monthly rate and housing allowance are higher. The VR&E continues to be another tool available for Veterans who may otherwise face difficulty securing employment after becoming injured while serving. Those who sacrifice for our freedom deserve the opportunity to reenter civilian life through viable options.
Can You Use VR&E After the GI Bill?
If you have benefits from both the Veteran Readiness and Employment program and the GI Bill, you can use both and it’s better to use VR&E benefits first. Here’s why:
- In some cases, using the VR&E program first can help you receive benefits for a longer period of time than if you were to use your GI Bill benefits.
- Furthermore, the VA will deduct VR&E entitlement first if you don’t use these benefits before using your GI Bill benefits.
- Finally, retroactive induction may also be available. This allows the VA to provide VR&E if you’re out of education benefits and are determined to be eligible for the program.
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