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4worldlovers: Learn about eligibility requirements for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)—formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. If you’re a service member or Veteran and have a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service and that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, you may be able to get employment support or services to help you live as independently as possible.

If I’m a Veteran, am I eligible for Veteran Readiness and Employment?

You’re eligible to apply for VR&E benefits and services if you meet both of these requirements:

You have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA

When we receive your VR&E application, we’ll schedule your initial evaluation with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). The VRC will determine if you’re entitled to receive VR&E benefits and services.

If you were discharged from active duty before January 1, 2013, your basic period of eligibility ends 12 years from one of these dates, whichever comes later:

The date you received notice of your date of separation from active duty, or

The basic period of eligibility may be extended if a VRC finds that you have a serious employment handicap (SEH). Having an SEH means your service-connected disability significantly limits your ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that doesn’t make your disability worse; is stable; and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests).

If you were discharged from active duty on or after January 1, 2013, the 12-year basic period of eligibility doesn’t apply to you. There’s no time limit on your eligibility.

If I’m still on active duty, am I eligible for Veteran Readiness and Employment?

You may be eligible for VR&E benefits and services if you’re a service member and you meet at least one of these requirements.

You have a 20% or higher pre-discharge disability rating (memorandum rating) and will soon leave the military, or

You’re waiting to be discharged because of a severe illness or injury that occurred while you were on active duty

Learn more about accessing VR&E services through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)

Note: Severely injured active-duty service members can automatically receive VR&E benefits before VA issues a disability rating. This is according to Sec. 1631(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act (PL 110-181).

Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD): If you have an illness or injury that you believe was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, you can file a claim for disability benefits through the BDD program 180 to 90 days before you leave active duty. This may help speed up the claim decision process so you can get your benefits sooner.

Learn more about BDD and what to do if you have less than 90 days left on active duty

What should I do if I received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge?

If you’ve received one of these discharge statuses, you may not be eligible for VA benefits.

How do I apply if I already have a VA disability rating?

Note: You can apply if you’re a service member who hasn’t received a disability rating yet.

A complete evaluation to determine your abilities, skills, and interests for employment

Employment services such as job training, resume development, and other work-readiness support

Help finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives and job accommodations

Post-secondary education and training at a college, vocational, technical, or business school

Independent living services to help you live as independently as possible

If I’m eligible for GI Bill benefits, can I get paid the Post-9/11 GI Bill subsistence rate for my VR&E program?

If you’re participating in a VR&E program, you can choose to get paid the GI Bill subsistence rate instead of the Chapter 31 subsistence allowance rate if you meet both of these requirements.

You have at least 1 day of entitlement remaining under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and

You’ll need to officially choose the GI Bill subsistence rate. Your VRC can help you with this.