{"id":"va-veteran-readiness-employment","name":"VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)","provider":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs","entitlement_type":"government-benefit","entitlement_type_label":"Government benefit","entitlement_type_context":{"definition":"A government-funded or administered benefit, service, coverage program, assistance program, or public access route.","domain":"public-benefits","archetype":"direct-program","agent_instruction":"Identify the administering jurisdiction and disclose income, household, age, disability, immigration, residence, renewal, fee, and capacity rules that apply."},"summary":"VA's Chapter 31 VR&E program helps eligible Veterans and service members with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable work or live more independently.","benefit":{"description":"A counselor-led rehabilitation plan that can include vocational evaluation, counseling, resume and job-search help, accommodations, job placement, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, college or technical education, self-employment support, case management, independent-living services, and an eligible subsistence allowance.","estimated_value_usd":null},"discovery":{"focus":"public-service","has_estimated_dollar_value":false},"access":{"relationships":["Veteran with a service-connected disability affecting employment or independence","Qualifying service member preparing for medical separation"],"requirements":"A Veteran may apply with a VA service-connected disability rating of at least 10% and no dishonorable discharge; a service member may qualify with a qualifying pre-discharge rating or severe active-duty illness or injury. Applying does not establish entitlement: a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor evaluates whether an employment handicap or serious employment handicap and other Chapter 31 rules are met.","activation":"Apply online or submit VA Form 28-1900, then attend the initial evaluation and work with the assigned counselor to document disability-related barriers, abilities, interests, goals, prior benefits, and needed services. If entitled, agree to and follow an individualized rehabilitation plan.","cost_basis":"no-cost","cost_basis_label":"No-cost access","cost_basis_context":{"classification":"free","definition":"The core benefit has no required payment, purchase, deposit, paid membership, or pre-existing paid-product relationship under the captured terms.","agent_instruction":"Still disclose optional add-ons, transportation, parking, replacement charges, taxes, capacity, and eligibility conditions found in fees or requirements.","variation_patterns":null,"does_not_mean":null},"fees":"Application and approved services are provided as a VA benefit, but VA must authorize expenses in the rehabilitation plan; private choices and costs outside the plan are not automatically covered. Veterans discharged before January 1, 2013, may face a 12-year basic eligibility period subject to extension, while that time limit does not apply to qualifying discharges on or after that date. Approval, a specific training goal, and employment are not guaranteed.","personalized":false,"regions":["US","VA-approved education, training, employment, and independent-living service settings"],"expires":null},"status":"verified","last_checked":"2026-08-04","claim_url":"https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/how-to-apply/","source_url":"https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/eligibility/","source":{"primary_url":"https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/eligibility/","evidence":[{"source":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs","url":"https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/eligibility/","kind":"provider","checked_at":"2026-08-04"}]},"parent":null,"coverage":{"level":"national","family":"veterans-and-military","jurisdiction":"United States","maturity":"direct"},"web_url":"/benefits/va-veteran-readiness-employment","taxonomy":{"version":"1.0","url":"/api/v1/taxonomy"}}