What You Need to Know About VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program

The training veterans receive during service prepares them to be good leaders, work well in a team, and adapt to changes quickly. However, how do veterans best apply those skills in a civilian work environment?

Finding a job and a fulfilling career after military service can impact a veteran’s overall well-being. The latest Warrior Survey* from Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) shows employment can positively affect a warrior’s quality of life. The survey also showed that 58% of WWP warriors reported being underemployed, and 37% of employed warriors said they were not making enough money relative to their skill level.

WWP can assist warriors in navigating VA benefits they qualify for and have earned, including Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) services.

Veterans and service members can use VR&E services to prepare for their post-military careers. The program, also known as Chapter 31, helps with job training, education, employment accommodations, and other services.

Find answers to some common questions about the VR&E program and how veterans can benefit from it.

What is VR&E?

VR&E is a VA program that helps veterans and service members with service-connected disabilities prepare for civilian careers. VR&E provides career counseling, education and training support, and job placement assistance.

“VR&E is a program that a lot of veterans look for immediately after leaving the military because a lot of them are anxious to decide what they’re going to do next,” WWP Benefits Training & Operations Specialist Dorcus Ellis said. “The way the program is done now, with five different tracks, is a great benefit.”

Who qualifies for VR&E?

• Veterans who have a service-connected VA disability rating of 10% or more.
• Veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge.

Active-duty service members may also be eligible if they already have at least a 20% predischarge disability rating and are getting ready to leave the military or waiting to be discharged because of a service-connected injury or illness.

How soon must I apply for VR&E benefits after leaving the service?

Veterans discharged before Jan. 1, 2013, have an eligibility period of 12 years based on either of the following factors:

• The date you received notice of your separation date from active duty.
• The date you received your first VA disability rating.

For veterans who served after Jan. 1, 2013, there is currently no time limit on eligibility.

What are the VR&E Program Tracks?

There are five tracks within the VR&E program to help prepare veterans for immediate or future employment.

“Some tracks are for specific areas or programs veterans want to do or be in, and there are tracks where veterans can go immediately into employment,” Ellis said. “They’ll work really closely with a VR&E counselor who will take them through all of that and help them decide the best track for them.”

The five tracks are:

• Reemployment: Provides the services necessary for a veteran to return to the job they held before entering active duty. If the job they had isn’t available when they return, this track helps them remain in the same field they were in before service. “Sometimes they may need some short-term training or refresher training before they can go immediately back to work,” Ellis said. “[This track] is not to teach a new skill; it’s for someone who had a full-time job or a career before active duty, and now they want to return to their same field.”
• Rapid access to employment: Provides the services necessary for a veteran to obtain and maintain employment as quickly as possible. “They may need some short-term training, but it’s set up so they can get back into the workforce as quickly as possible,” Ellis said. “[The veteran] knows exactly what they want to do, and VR&E assists them in going through that [short-term] program.”
• Self-employment: Provides services to veterans with the necessary job skills to start a business. This track requires a business concept, a business planning guide, and a checklist of things the veteran has to do. “It's not for everyone, but for people who can demonstrate that they are qualified for self-employment, it’s a good start,” Ellis said.
• Employment through long-term services: Provides an extended period of training and rehabilitation services to ensure a veteran has the skills necessary to obtain and maintain suitable employment. “They may need to go through an extended program to develop the skills necessary for career success in a field that requires specialized training or degrees, “Ellis said. “There’s an individualized program for each person.”
• Independent living: Enables veterans, to the maximum extent possible, to live independently and participate in family and community life. This program assists 2,700 annually (including veterans affected by natural disasters, etc.) and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. “Veterans with specific injuries and need more help being independently integrated back into their lives can benefit from this program,” Ellis said.

Is there a stipend associated with VR&E?

Possibly. Veterans may receive a subsistence allowance while pursuing their education or training as part of the VR&E program. The payment depends on the rate of attendance in the training program (full-time, half-time, or quarter-time), the number of dependents, and the type of training. VA distributes it monthly.

What are the main benefits of VR&E?

VR&E can better prepare veterans for future employment or get them working right away. Aside from the financial need, employment can often provide a sense of purpose to warriors.

“Many veterans need work because it’s productive for them,” Ellis said.

It is important to be prepared to fully engage in the VR&E program, but veterans who, for any reason, can’t complete it have the option to reapply in the future.

Another benefit of the program is that it matches veterans with jobs that accommodate their wounds or service-related injuries. For example, if a veteran needs a role that allows for sitting or prefers to avoid crowded environments, VR&E counselors help find the best career fit based on their needs.

How do I apply for VR&E?

Eligible veterans must fill out VA form 28-1900 to apply. The application can be completed online, by mail, in person at a VA office, or with the help of VA-accredited agents or veterans service organizations.

How can WWP help with VR&E benefits?

The WWP Benefits Services program can help warriors understand and navigate the process of applying for VR&E benefits. WWP can also assist warriors in applying for other benefits provided by VA, including disability compensation and VA health care, accessing the GI Bill and other educational benefits, and helping active-duty service members understand and apply for Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD).

For warriors seeking employment, Warriors to Work can assist with career counseling, resume writing, interview prep, job placement assistance, and more.

“We're always here to help,” Dorcus said.

*Warrior Survey, Wave 3 (conducted May 25-Aug.1, 2023)

Find out how WWP Benefits Services can assist warriors.

Contact: — Paris Moulden, Public Relations, pmoulden@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.570.7910

About Wounded Warrior Project 

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.