Veteran Readiness and Employment
The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. It is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 program. The VR&E program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For Veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.
Do I qualify?
At ComputerMinds.Com we are often asked “what are the standards to qualify?” We have learned through experience the best answer is: The Veteran’s Readiness and Employment Counselors look at each person individually and it is best to not assume your ability for qualification, but to go speak with a counselor and let the counselors determine your eligibility.
Veterans are eligible if they:
- Have received, or will receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge
- Have a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% with a serious employment handicap or 20% or more with an employment handicap.
Active Duty Service Members are eligible if they:
- Expect to receive an honorable discharge upon separation from active duty
- Obtain a VA memorandum rating or Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) rating of 20% or more
How do I Apply?
Schedule to meet with a Veteran Readiness and Employment Consultant for comprehensive evaluation to determine if you are entitled to services. A VA Counselor then decides if a veteran has an employment handicap, based upon the results of the comprehensive evaluation. Entitlement to services is established if the veteran has a 20% service-connected disability and an employment handicap. If the disability is 10% service-connected, then a serious employment handicap must be found to establish entitlement to vocational readiness services. After an entitlement decision is made, the veteran and the counselor will work together to develop a readiness and employment plan.
To schedule call or visit (visiting is our preferred method) Veterans Affairs Department:
Veteran Readiness and Employment
1200 Circle Drive, Suite 400, Fort Worth, TX 76119
817-534-3563
Veteran Readiness and Employment
VA Medical Center Bldg.#2, Room 1C409
4500 South Lancaster Rd. Dallas, TX. 75216
214-857-4207
What Other Benefits May Be Provided?
After a plan is developed and signed, the counselor will assist the Veteran to implement the plans to achieve gainful suitable employment or independent living. The counselor or case manager will provide ongoing counseling, assistance, and coordination of services such as tutorial assistance, training in job-seeking skills, medical and dental referrals, adjustment counseling, payment of training allowance, and other services as required to help the Veteran achieve a career and live as independently as possible.
Basic Period of Eligibility
The law generally provides for a 12-year basic period of eligibility in which services may be used. The 12-year period begins on the latter of these dates:
- Date of separation from active military duty, OR
- Date the veteran was first notified of a service-connected disability rating