Vocational Rehabilitation And Employment Program

[carlie]

http://www.allmilitary.com/benefits/vocrehab.html Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment ProgramThe Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E) helps veterans who have service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For those veterans who cannot work due to their disability, the program provides services that will help them lead more independent lives.

Available Services:

• A comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine your abilities, skills, interests, and needs in order to cater to your strengths.
  
• Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning.
  
• Services to help you develop your resume and brush up on your job-seeking skills.
  
• Assistance in order to find and keep a job.
  
• Resume-boosting training such as apprenticeships, non-paid work experiences, and on-the-job training.
  
• Post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business schools.
  
• Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling, and referrals to outside help-professionals.
  
• Independent living services.
  
  
  In order to be eligible for an evaluation, a veteran must meet three conditions:
  • Have received or will receive a discharge that is not dishonorable.
    
  • Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%.
    
  • Submit a completed VA Form 28-8832.
    
    You are eligible for up to 12 years after the date you separate from active military service or the date you were notified of your VA disability rating, whichever came last.
    
    After you have established your eligibility, you must meet with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). The counselor will evaluate you and determine whether you are entitled to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services.
    
    The counselor will evaluate:
    • Your interests, aptitudes and abilities.
      
    • Whether your service connected disabilities impair your ability to find and hold a job based on your already-developed skills.
      
    • Your vocational experience and your goal development.
      

    Based on the evaluation and your medical records, the counselor will determine whether you have an employment handicap. If the counselor decides that you are entitled to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services, then the next step is to meet with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to decide on what services will best assist you.

    <H2 class=no_margin>How It Works</H2>After establishing eligibility and then entitlement for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits, you and a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor will work together to select a program track that will hopefully lead you to your goal of gaining employment or being able to live on your own without aid.

    You and your conselour will:

    [*]Find any available employment or independent living services that would be viable for you.

    [*]Determine what transferable skills you hold that could be an asset to you in the job market.

    [*]Narrow down job opportunities to those that coincide with your desired wage, physical demands and suitable employment goal.

    [*]Develop an individualized rehabilitation plan.

    Your rehabilitation plan is a written outline, signed by both you and your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, of the services, resources, and criteria that will be used in order to help you accomplish your goal of either gainful employment or independent living. This plan is annually reviewed to determine whether any changes need to be made to better assist you in achieving your desired goal.

    Your plan is modeled after one of these options:

    [*]Re-employment with previous employer.

    [*]Rapid access to employment.

    [*]Self-employment.

    [*]Employment through long-term services.

    [*]Independent living services.

    Once a plan has been selected, you and your counselor will continue to work on ways to best implement the plan in order to meet your needs. Your counselor will coordinate services such as tutorial assistance, training in job-seeking skills, medical and dental referrals, adjustment counseling and other services are necessary so that you can gain employment or live independently.

    Apply

    If you think you may qualify, visit your VA regional office or call 1-800-827-100.

[Pete53]

Thanks Carlie a really timely post