Vocational Rehabilitation

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Vocational Rehabilitation

• Texas Veterans Commission
• Fall Conference 2009

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Overview

• Eligibility Requirements
• Types of Counseling/Training
• Application and Process
• Payments
• Effects on Unemployability
• Ancillary Benefits

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Eligibility Requirements

• To be eligible for Voc Rehab a Veteran must meet
  ALL of the following
• Have a combined 20 Compensable Disability Rating
  as a result of service since 16 September 1940,
  and
• Two exceptions to this rule
• Veterans who have a serious employment handicap
  need only be rated 10
• Those who filed and were found eligible before 1
  Nov 1990 may continue or reapply

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Eligibility Requirements (cont.)

• Have received, or going to receive, a
  other-than-dishonorable discharge, and
• Need services because of a serious employment
  handicap, and
• The service-connected disability must be the
  principal cause for the handicap

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Eligibility Requirements (cont.)

• Be within the period of eligibility
• Must normally complete the program within 12
  years of receiving a rating of disability from
  the VA
• Extensions may be granted if Voc Rehab determines
  that conditions prevent the Veteran from
  completing within the 12 years.

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Types of Counseling/Training

• Counseling/Training currently available
• Job Counseling
• Job Placement
• College or University Training
• Vocational Training

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Types of Counseling/Training (cont.)

• Apprenticeship/On-the-Job Training
• On-Farm Training
• Independent Living Services
• Under special circumstances, training in a
  rehabilitation facility, sheltered workshop, or
  the Veterans home is available

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Types of Counseling/Training (cont.)

• Employment Services Assistance
• Services Include
• Counseling
• Medical
• Social
• Other Placement
• Post-Placement
• These services are meant to assist the Veteran in
  obtaining and maintaining employment

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Types of Counseling/Training (cont.)

• Self-employment
• May be considered if normal channels is limited
  because of their disability
• Nonpaid work experience
• Veteran receives pay by way of subsistence
  allowance, this is paid through the Voc Rehab
  program
• Veteran can also receive pay from the agency of
  which they are working

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Application and Process Flow

• VA Form 28-1900, Disabled Veterans Application
  for Vocational Rehabilitation
• This is the basic application for benefits. Once
  the Veteran applies for benefits the Veteran
  Rehab Specialist will assist them in completing
  any other necessary forms.

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Application and Process Flow (cont.)

• Process Flow
• VA receives the Veterans application
• Adjudication determines eligibility
• Once eligibility is established the file is then
  transferred to the Vocational Rehabilitation
  division
• If the Veteran is rated 20 or greater then they
  will be contacted for diagnostic testing

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Application and Process Flow (cont.)

• Process Flow (cont.)
• If the Veteran is rated 10 then the VA will have
  to make a determination if that rating presents a
  serious handicap
• Next, the Veteran will go through diagnostic
  testing to determine a course of action for the
  Veteran to receive the most-suited benefits
• As with any VA decision if the Veteran is denied
  benefits they can appeal the decision

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Payments

• Option 1 Receive payments for training and
  monthly subsistence allowance
• VA Pays all training expenses to include tuition,
  fees, books, and supplies
• Option 2 Veteran uses another education program
• Only applies if the Veteran is eligible for any
  other Education Programs
• Veteran would receive the entitlement and then
  pay for their own expenses

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Effects on Unemployable Rating

• Although a rating of Individual Unemployability
  (IU) has been established the Veteran can still
  be eligible for Voc Rehab
• If employment is obtained the job must last 12
  consecutive months before it will effect the IU
  rating

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Ancillary Benefits

• Other benefits available to Voc Rehab students
• Tutorial Services
• Revolving Fund Loans
• Employment Adjustment Allowance
• Voc Rehab for VA Pensioners

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Ancillary Benefits (cont.)

• Tutorial Services
• If the Veteran needs assistance for tutorial
  needs the VA must complete a contract with the
  provider of the service
• VA does NOT reimburse the Veteran for tutoring
  charges

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Ancillary Benefits (cont.)

• Revolving Fund Loans (RFL)
• Provide a short-term relief (up to 600) for
  Veterans receiving Chapter 31 benefits who
  incur financial emergencies
• If a Veteran has a RFL they cannot obtain another
  until the original loan is repaid
• RFL is repaid by automatic deductions from the
  monthly Compensation check

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Ancillary Benefits (cont.)

• Employment Adjustment Allowance
• Entitlement to 2 additional months of subsistence
  allowance at the full-time rate while the Veteran
  is seeking employment
• Can be paid even if the Veteran is already
  employed

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Ancillary Benefits (cont.)

• Voc Rehab for Pensioners
• Veteran must have started receiving Pension PRIOR
  to 31 December 1995
• Veteran continues to receive Pension while
  receiving training

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Review

• Eligibility Requirements
• Types of Counseling/Training
• Application and Process
• Payments
• Effects on Unemployability
• Ancillary Benefits

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Questions