What are vocational rehabilitation benefits?

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides services for qualified veterans with service-connected disabilities who need assistance to become suitably employed or to maintain employment or who need assistance or training in order to become independent in daily living.

The services provided may include counseling, as well as education and specialized training. 

Which veterans are qualified?

In order to qualify for the program, the veteran must either have, or will receive, an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge, have more than a 10% service-connected disability rating, and must apply for vocational rehabilitation services.

Generally, the veteran must apply for the vocational rehabilitation within 12 years from the separation from active duty, or from the date the veteran was first notified of a service-connected disability rating.

Once the veteran applies, a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor provides a Comprehensive Evaluation, which assesses the veteran’s interests, aptitudes and abilities to determine whether the veteran is entitled to the vocational rehabilitation services and whether the service-connected disability impairs the veterans ability to find or hold a job with the skills the veteran already has.

What services are available?

Some of the services the veteran may be eligible for include post-secondary education benefits, on the job training, assistance with finding a job, medical referrals, and independent living services for veterans unable to work because their disabilities are so severe.

Are there any services available for children or spouses of veterans who need education or rehabilitation?

Vocational rehabilitation services may be available for children with spina bifida, who have one or both parents who served in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War, or in certain military units in the demilitarized zone of Korea between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971.