While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides employment assistance through Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) and Educational and Career Counseling (Chapter 36).
Chapter 36 is available for service members and veterans who meet the eligibility requirements. However, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) is exclusively for those with a service-connected disability.
Learn more about VA employment services on the federal website here.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) has five support tracks to help veterans and service members with service-connected disabilities obtain and keep a job as well as live independently. The five tracks include the following:
Through Educational and Career Counseling, the VA helps enrollees find a job or start a training/educational path to secure a position in their field. The program also has counseling to help with any issues or hindrances in reaching their vocational goals.
Learn more about VR&E benefits here and Education and Career Counseling services here.
VR&E’s Reemployment track helps you return to your former civilian job through a range of services. Click here for more information about the Reemployment track.
The Rapid Access to Employment track assists with finding you a job that matches your skillset. The program also offers counseling and rehabilitation services to address your abilities, aptitudes and interests. To learn more about Rapid Access to Employment, click here.
Benefits through this track include:
If you qualify for the Self-Employment track, the VA provides:
Learn more about the Self-Employment track here.
In the Long-Term Services track, you can get the following benefits:
Find out how the Long-Term Services track can help you here.
If you cannot return to work due to a service-related disability, the Independent Living track guides you through your best options. Service benefits include evaluating your needs and goals and referrals to other support resources, such as VA housing adaptation grants and programs.
Click here for more details about the Independent Living track.
Through Educational and Career Counseling, enrollees can get:
Learn more about Career Counseling services here.
Chapter 31 and Chapter 36 have different eligibility requirements.
To get Educational and Career Counseling benefits, you must meet one of the following requirements:
For VR&E benefits, you must meet all of the following requirements:
If you are still on active duty, you must:
Find out more about the eligibility requirements for VR&E here.
If you wish to apply for VA Employment Services, you will need to complete the following three steps:
Learn more about VA disability ratings here.
To apply online, click here to go directly to the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits page on eBenefits. Log in to your eBenefits account, select “Apply” and click “Veteran Readiness and Employment Program.” Select the specific track to apply to one of the VR&E, or select “Education and Career Counseling” to apply for those benefits.
To apply by mail, complete the Educational/Vocational Counseling Application here and mail it to your nearest VA regional office. Find your closest VA office location and contact information here.
If you need help with your application, call the VA’s toll-free hotline at (800) 827-1000 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 ET.
You can check your claim status online here. To check your status online, you will need to sign into one of the following existing accounts:
You can contact the VA regional office where you sent your application if you applied by mail. Find VA office location and contact information here.
You can also call the VA’s toll-free hotline at (800) 827-1000 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 ET.
Once approved for VR&E, a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) will work with you to develop a plan and outline the services VA will provide. The VRC will also help you follow the plan by setting up the following as needed:
If you are approved for Educational and Career Counseling, a VA representative will contact you about an orientation session at a nearby office.
You may need to notify the VA of personal or medical changes, such as:
You can update your profile information online by signing into your existing DS Logon, My HealtheVet or ID.me account here.
To update your information by phone, call (800) 827-1000 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 ET.
You can also contact or visit your local VA facility in person. Find VA healthcare facility locations here.
If you disagree with your claim decision, you have the following three appeal options: file a supplemental claim, request a higher-level review or file a board appeal.
To file a supplemental claim and present new evidence that supports your case, or request a higher-level review from a senior officer, you can fill out the application and submit it in person at a local VA office. Find the nearest VA health care facility location here.
To file either a supplemental claim or request a higher-level review, you can send the application by mail to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
The supplemental claim application form can be found here and the higher-level review form is available here.
Higher-level reviews can also be requested by fax to (844) 531-7818.
Board appeals can be requested in three different ways:
Regardless of the option you choose, you can submit the application form found here in person at a local VA office. Find the nearest VA health care facility location here.
You can also submit your application by mail to:
Board of Veteran’s Appeals
PO BOX 27063
Washington D.C. 20038
You can also file your application by fax to (844) 678-8979.
Click here for more information about what to do after you request an appeal.
The Veterans Administration has almost 2,000 locations all over the country. You can find VA locations and contact information here.
If you need help or have questions about VA Employment Services, call the following numbers Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 ET:
You can also call your nearby VA office. Find VA office locations and contact information here.
To ask questions online, click here for the Inquiry Routing and Information System (IRIS).
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research U.S. Veteran Affairs programs and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.
Our free Veteran Affairs Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for VA benefits, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
