Being employed provides a sustainable source of living to maintain financial stability, which can support your needs, such as food, housing, and clothing.
Although they are eligible for VA disability claims, finding sustainable employment remains one of the biggest challenges veterans’ faces is securing sustainable employment to help them with their lifestyle. This constant struggle gravely affects people, especially those who have service-related injuries and disabilities.
Our Veteran Benefits Guide and claims assistance page provides veterans with the knowledge and resources to completely understand the types of VA benefits they are eligible for. In this pursuit, the VA supported this idea, which led to the implementation of a program that fosters educational and employment initiatives for veterans called the Veteran Readiness and Employment Plan, otherwise known as Chapter 31 VA Benefits.
This blog post explores the full criteria of what the Chapter 31 benefits entails, what are their eligibility and how to take full advantage of this benefit.
Veteran Readiness and Employment
The Veteran Readiness and Employment program (VR&E) is referred to as the Ch 31, or Chapter 31 Voc Rehab. It assists eligible veterans with service-connected injuries and handicapped employment to prepare them to get and maintain employment.
Its objective is to supply veterans with necessary vocational education, training, and employment options, which can often involve eligible dependents or family members (which is a benefit that may directly involve the Chapter 35 VA benefits for dependents).
It is an ideal benefit to maintain employment and acquire income on top of your VA disability compensation, which can help you provide for your daily needs and acquire possible treatments for your injuries or illnesses.
Here are the following services that are granted to eligible veterans:
Vocational counseling is individual counseling to assist veterans in selecting a career path aligned with their skills and abilities.
On-the-Job Training This includes apprenticeships and non-paid work experience that provide veterans with the opportunity to get employed.
Educational Compensation Compensation for tuition, fees, books, and miscellaneous expenses from approved colleges and universities.
And other services It primarily involves development processes such as fixing resumes, providing work-preparedness support, and maintaining and finding a place of employment for veterans. supportive rehabilitative services, such as independent living options, case management, adjustment counseling, and medical and dental referrals from the Veterans Health Administration.
Who is eligible for Chapter 31 VA Benefits?
You are eligible for these benefits as long as you meet these criteria.
- No dishonorable discharge
- A 10% service-connected disability rating approved by the VA.
For veterans discharged from active duty, before January 1, 2013 receives basic eligibility period that can last for 12 years whichever is the latest.
- The date the veteran received notice of their date of separation from active duty, or
- The date the veteran received their first VA service-connected disability rating.
The VA grants an extension with these benefits if they confirm and determine that you are experiencing a severe or serious employment handicap that hinders you from obtaining and maintaining sustainable employment. This is as long as it is aligned with your service-connected disability.
If the discharge, however, occurs, after or on your duty of January 1, 2013, then the 12-year basic period is not applicable and there is no limit on your eligibility.
How to apply for Veteran Readiness and Employment
The VA will invite you to an orientation session at their nearest VA regional office if you are eligible for this benefit.
Here are some of the application processes:
Mailing:
- You may download the form using this link: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-28-1900/
- It will lead you to a page that contains the forms that you will need to apply for the benefit, look for: Download VA Form 28-1900 (PDF)
- Once you filled that out, you may submit your application at this address:
- Department of Veterans Affairs
VR&E Intake Center
PO Box 5210
Janesville, WI
53547-5210
Personal Visit:
You may seek out a VA office that is closest to you and ask a VA employee for assistance for filing these claims.
Veterans Coaches or Veterans Service Officer:
It is one of the most efficient methods. It promotes seeking out the help of a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), an accredited attorney or a veterans coach such as Just4Veterans.
We at Just4Veterans have the tenure and knowledge to help you acquire your VA benefits, especially the CH 31 VA benefits. We recognize the need to provide you with a better option for filing your VA benefits and claims. You may check out our VA claims assistance page, or you may directly book a strategy call with our veteran coaches here.