VA Benefits and Services Briefing for Transitioning Servicemembers 1
VA Local Information» Briefer» VA Regional Office» Benefits Delivery at Discharge site» VA Medical Center» Vet Center 2
Accessing VA www.va.gov http://www.facebook.com/veteransbenefits http://twitter.com/vavetbenefits Or call us 1-800-827-1000 8:00 a.m. EST to 9:00 p.m. EST 3
Veteran Service Organizations» Accredited Veteran Service Organization representatives are available to assist Servicemembers and Veterans in filing for benefits and services.» To obtain a listing of Veteran Service Organizations, visit: http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp 4
» www.ebenefits.va.gov» One-stop shop for benefitsrelated online tools and information Apply for benefits View your claim status and benefit payments online Download your DD 214 Print your VA home loan guaranty Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) 5
DS Logon Lifetime Identity» Defense Self-Service Logon is your lifetime personal identity to access: ebenefits https://www.ebenefits.va.gov TRICARE Online (TOL) https://www.tricareonline.com/ Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE) https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/ bwe/ Servicemembers: Use your CAC to get a DS Logon 6
Department of Veterans Affairs» Veterans Benefits Administration All non-medical VA benefits: Compensation, Pension, Education, Home Loan Guaranty, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Life Insurance Administered by VA Regional Offices» Veterans Health Administration All VA health care services Administered by VA Medical Centers, Ambulatory Care & Community Based Outpatient Clinics» National Cemetery Administration National Cemeteries Support to State Veterans Cemeteries Headstones & Markers Presidential Memorial Certificates 7
DD-214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty 8
Course Outline» Compensation and Pension» Counseling and Treatment for Military Sexual Trauma» Life Insurance» Health Care» Readjustment Counseling (Vet Centers)» Home Loan Guaranty» Education» Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment» Burial» Resources 9
Compensation for Service-Connected Conditions 10
Service-Connected Compensation» Compensation is paid for a disability resulting from disease or injury incurred or aggravated while on active service. The disability does not have to be combat or wartime related.» Examples: Torn knee ligament Hearing loss Back condition Post traumatic stress (including the result of sexual trauma) Traumatic brain injury Skin condition (psoriasis, eczema, scars) 11
Pre-Discharge Program» Types of Pre-Discharge Claims Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Quick Start Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)» More information available at www.vba.va.gov/predischarge 12
Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Claims» Servicemember must: Have 60-180 days remaining in service Submit a copy of service treatment records (STRs) or health treatment records Be available at point of separation to undergo VA exam(s) 13
Quick Start Claims The Quick Start program serves Servicemembers who do not qualify for BDD because they: Have less than 60 days before separation/retirement OR Are not available for VA examinations at the point of separation 14
Pre-Discharge Program How To Apply» How to apply: Submit VA Form 21-526c, Pre- Discharge Compensation Claim, or other applicable forms Provide original or copy of STRs Provide known date of separation or retirement Submit a permanent address, phone number, and email address 15
Rating Process» VA life cycle of a claim» Disabilities are rated from 0% to 100% Combined overall rating» Compensation is tax free Compensation paid for disability rating from 10% to 100% Additional allowance for dependents with 30% or higher rating The Department of Treasury requires new Federal beneficiaries receive their recurring/monthly benefits electronically 16
Compensation Current Rates Rating Vet Only Vet+S Vet+S+1C Vet+S+2C Vet+S+3C 10% $123 N/A N/A N/A N/A 20% 243 N/A N/A N/A N/A 30% 376 421 453 475 497 40% 541 601 644 674 704 50% 770 845 899 936 973 60% 974 1,064 1,129 1,174 1,219 70% 1,228 1,333 1,409 1,461 1,513 80% 1,427 1,547 1,634 1,694 1,754 90% 1,604 1,739 1,837 1,904 1,971 100% 2,673 2,823 2,932 3,007 3,082 S = Spouse C = Child(ren) Rates effective Dec. 1, 2010 17
Related Benefits» Free VA health care for all rated service-connected conditions» Vocational rehabilitation & employment services» VA life insurance - $10,000» Veteran s preference in Federal hiring» VA home loan guaranty funding fee waived» Possible state and local benefits 18
Compensation» Severance and/or Separation pay may be recouped (after tax amount)» Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)» Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) 19
VA Pension Eligibility requirements:» At least 90 days of active military service (generally, 24 months for enlistments after September 7, 1980)» At least one day of wartime service (combat service not required)» Totally and permanently disabled or attained age 65» Disability need not be related to service» Within income limits and net worth to qualify for this benefit 20
Compensation & Pension How to Apply» Complete an application» Provide other supporting records; VA can help obtain them. VA Form 21-4142, Authorization and Consent to Release Information to the Department of VA» Submit all documents to your local VA Regional Office 21
Compensation & Pension How to Apply Online through ebenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov -OR- Online through Veterans ON-line APPlication (VONAPP) at www.va.gov -OR- Through a VA Regional Office (see Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents & Survivors, VA Facilities, for locations) 22
Compensation & Pension No Time Limit» No time limit to apply for Compensation or Pension» Compensation will be paid retroactive to the first of the month after separation/retirement if VA receives the application within one year of separation/retirement. Otherwise, benefits are generally effective no earlier than the date VA received the application. 23
Social Security Disability Insurance» Disability or Survivors Benefits May be available to injured active duty Regardless of where injury occurred Expedited service for line-of-duty disabilities on or after October 1, 2001» How To Apply: On-Line at www.socialsecurity.gov Telephonically at 1-800-772-1213 In-Person at Social Security Office 24
Counseling and Treatment for Military Sexual and Other Personal Trauma 25
Military Sexual and Other Personal Trauma» Definition: An event of human design that threatens or inflicts harm.» Examples: Rape, physical assault, domestic battery, robbery, mugging, & stalking Anyone can be a victim of sexual or other personal trauma. 26
Treatment & Counseling» Veterans are eligible for health care and counseling resulting from sexual and other personal trauma even though the incident was never reported» Care and counseling can be provided to Veterans who have qualifying military service and express a need for the care 27
Compensation» Physical or psychological disabilities from sexual or other personal trauma while on active duty may be considered service-connected for VA compensation purposes» There must be sufficient evidence to document the trauma and a current disability» While DD Form 2910, Victim Reporting Preference Statement and DD Form 2911, Forensic Medical Report: Sexual Assault Examination, are proof of the trauma, VA will look to other evidence and indications if the trauma has not been reported 28
Life Insurance www.insurance.va.gov 29
Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI)» $400,000 maximum coverage» Free coverage for 120 days after Servicemember s separation from service» Convertible to Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) or commercial policy after separation from service (can split coverage)» Insures active duty members, Ready Reservists, cadets at service academies, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Public Health Service (PHS) 30
SGLI Disability Extension» Member must request the extended coverage» Member must be totally disabled at time of separation from service» Coverage may be extended for up to two (2) years post-separation at no cost to the member» Member automatically converted to VGLI after end of the disability extension period 31
Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (TSGLI)» Rapid financial assistance payable to members who suffer a qualifying loss due to traumatic injury» Benefit of $25K $100K depending on injury» Automatic for members with SGLI coverage» Traumatic injury need not be combat related» Traumatic injury must occur prior to separation from service» Qualifying loss must occur within two years of date of traumatic injury» TSGLI coverage ends at separation from service. 32
TSGLI How to Apply» Claim form available at VA Insurance web site www.insurance.va.gov» Three-part certification process: Member provides basic claim information Medical professional provides medical data Branch of service must certify eligibility» Currently no time limit to file a claim» Denials can be appealed to the branch of service or contested in federal court 33
Family SGLI Coverage (FSGLI)» Coverage ends on the earlier of: 120 days after the member s death 120 days after a member cancels coverage 120 days after termination of a dependent s status as an insurable dependent (e.g., divorce) 120 days from the date the member is separated or released from the uniformed services» Spouses can convert FSGLI to a commercial policy without proof of good health within 120 days following termination of coverage. 34
Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI)» Lifetime renewable term insurance» Premiums increase with age» Maximum coverage=amount of SGLI at time of separation from service» Available in increments of $10,000» Convertible to a commercial policy at any time 35
VGLI Eligibility» Servicemembers separated from active duty or members of the Ready Reserves who were covered by full-time SGLI» Members of the Ready Reserves or National Guard with part-time SGLI coverage who incur or aggravate an existing disability that makes them uninsurable at standard rates» Members of Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and Inactive National Guard (ING) 36
How to Apply for VGLI» A series of three mailings are forwarded to last known address after separation» Application also available on VA web site» One year and 120 days from separation to apply Within 120 days - no proof of good health required After 120 days - must prove good health» Exception for totally disabled members (eligible for 2-year SGLI extension and then issued VGLI automatically) 37
Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI)» Maximum coverage is $10,000» Eligibility for S-DVI coverage: Discharged on or after April 25, 1951 Released from active duty under other than dishonorable conditions Must apply within two (2) years of notification of a new service-connected disability Must be in good health, except for any service-connected disabilities 38
Supplemental Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance» Up to $30,000 available to totally disabled policyholders who have been approved for premium waiver on basic S-DVI» Must be under age 65 to qualify for supplemental coverage» Must apply within one year of approval of waiver of premiums on basic S-DVI coverage» Same plans and premium rates as basic S-DVI» Premiums cannot be waived on the Supplemental S-DVI coverage 39
VA Health and Dental Care 40
Overview» VA health care system consists of 21 integrated networks of care to meet local health care needs and provide broad access to care» VA provides care at over 1,500 facilities: 153 hospitals 956 ambulatory care and community-based outpatient clinics 232 Vet Centers 134 community living centers (formerly known as nursing homes) 90 residential rehabilitation treatment programs 4 Poly Trauma Rehabilitation Centers 41
Comprehensive Medical Benefits» Screening exams for: Depression, Substance Abuse, PTSD, TBI,» Readjustment Counseling» Military Sexual Trauma http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/militarysexual Trauma-new.pdf» Preventive Care Services» Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment» Prescription Services» Women s Health Care Programs» Prosthetic and Rehabilitative Devices 42
Women Veterans Health» Women Veterans are eligible to receive: Complete medical benefits package and prescriptions Family planning resources, birth control, maternity care and new born services (VA pays up to 7 days of care for the new born at private hospitals), as well as other preventive health care» VA provides women Veterans with health care services and programs, including: Women s health clinics at every facility Designated women Veterans program managers at each facility Special inpatient facilities for PTSD and military sexual trauma treatment (not specific to women) Women s benefits coordinators available to discuss gender-specific conditions for disability claims Women s Trauma Recovery Program (Palo Alto) 43
VA Health Care Enrollment» Servicemembers not separated from active duty and/or on terminal leave may receive VA care through TRICARE under: VA/DoD Medical Resource Sharing Agreements. TRICARE (180 days of TRICARE Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) to access VA care; or TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS))» Veterans must be separated from active duty to enroll in VA health care services 44
Eligibility for VA Health Care» Veterans with active duty military service who were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.» Reservists who served on active duty for operational and support missions (excludes active duty for training).» National Guard members if mobilized by a Federal order (Title 10 or Presidential Executive Order). 45
VA Enrollment & Health Care Combat Veterans VA provides up to five years of free health care for enrolled Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations and are seeking care for conditions related to their combat service 46
VA Enrollment & Health Care Non-Combat Veterans» Veterans who have not deployed to a combat theater of operations may be eligible to enroll in VA health care: Veterans with a service-connected disability Qualify under other eligibility factors, such as being in receipt of VA pension or a Purple Heart recipient Qualify under VA s national means test or geographic means test income thresholds» Veterans seeking care for a non-service connected illness/injury may be charged co-pays for health services 47
Copayments Veterans with a non service-connected illness/injury may be charged a co-payment for services at VA for treatment of conditions not from service, such as flu, colds, auto accident 48
Dental Care VA provides recently separated Veterans a free, one-time evaluation and treatment for dental conditions if: Served for 90 days or more on active duty Applied within 180 days of separation DD-214 indicates that dental care was not provided within 90 days of separation from active duty ` 49
How to Apply» Identify the VA medical center closest to your home» Submit 10-10EZ to VA medical center staff, by mail, or electronically through www.ebenefits.va.gov or www.va.gov/healtheligibility» You will receive a letter from VA confirming your enrollment For additional information: Call 1-877-222-8387 50
VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits 51
Sign Up Today Health information Mental health resources Military health history Self-assessment tools http://www.myhealth.va.gov 52
Help Your Buddy VA s National Suicide Hotline Resource 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 53
Vet Center Vet Center Services to Returning Combat Veterans and Their Families 54
To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan. Abraham Lincoln Vet Centers serve Veterans and their families by providing a continuum of quality care that adds value for Veterans, families, and communities.. We welcome home war Veterans with honor by providing readjustment counseling in a caring manner. Vet Centers understand and appreciate Veterans war experiences while assisting them and their family members toward a successful post-war adjustment in or near their community. Walk on in 55
What is the Vet Center A safe and protected place to talk Confidentiality no stigma Flexible hours Easily accessible communitybased setting Network knowledgeable about the resources available Vet Center Staff are >65% Combat Veterans Veterans serving Veterans All family members are welcome No cost.ever What we Offer Individual Counseling Group Counseling Military Sexual Trauma Counseling Marital/Family Counseling Bereavement Counseling Drug and Alcohol Referral Liaison with VA & Community Resources Benefits Assistance Referral Community Education and Career Referral www.vetcenter.va.gov 56
Eligibility» Served in a combat or hostile zone and received a campaign or expeditionary ribbon * Must be reflected on DD-214» Military Sexual Trauma» Veterans/Retirees; Guard, & Reserve 57
Vet Centers provide Bereavement Counseling services to surviving parents, spouses, children and siblings of Servicemembers who have fallen while on active duty, to include Federally activated Reserve and National Guard personnel. 58
Vet Center Outreach Current conflict Veterans serve as outreach specialists in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. 59
Mobile Vet Centers 50 Mobile Vet Centers, distributed nationally, are utilized to provide access to returning Veterans via outreach to demobilization sites, active military bases, National Guard, and Reserve locations. The vehicles also support Vet Center services to rural areas geographically distant from VA services. Vet Center Combat Call Center Veterans or family members can call a national call-in service, at any time, to talk to another combat Veteran or spouse regarding any readjustment issues related to military service. The person on the other end of the call will be a Veteran or spouse who understands and values the military experience of serving in a combat zone, is trained as a Vet Center counselor, and has knowledge of VA and other resources that may assist the Veteran, spouse, or family in obtaining needed services. 60
Welcome Home! Contact Information: Looking to connect with a fellow warrior or family member, call: 1-877-WARVETS (927-8387) Looking for your closest Vet Center? www.vetcenter.va.gov VA Welcomes All Combat Veterans With Honor 61
Home Loan Guaranty www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/ 62
VA Home Loan Guaranty» Lenders make the loan and VA guarantees it» VA guaranty usually means no downpayment required of Servicemember or Veteran» Servicemember or Veteran must qualify for loan with sufficient income and satisfactory credit» Limitations on closing costs» The right to prepay without penalty» Negotiated interest rates» Individuals having problems making payments may call 1-877-827-3702 for assistance 63
VA Home Loan Guaranty» Buy a home» Build a home» Refinance existing loan» Use only for property located in the US, its territories or possessions» Must occupy the property as your home The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is intended to ease economic and legal burdens http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/scra.asp 64
Loan Limits» There is no maximum loan amount» There are maximum loan limits Loans above this limit may require a downpayment» Loan limits vary by county www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/loan_limits.asp 65
Native American Direct Loans» VA makes direct loans to Native Americans living on Trust Land (reservations, homelands)» Maximum loan limit is the same as for guaranteed loans» Veterans must meet credit qualifications 66
Funding Fee» Law requires funding fee to be paid on VA loans» Fee ranges from.5% to 3.3%, depending on loan type and if first-time or second-time user» Fee can be included in the loan» Fee is waived for Veterans entitled to VA disability compensation and certain surviving spouses 67
VA Home Loan Guaranty Below are various steps involved in obtaining a VA home loan:» Find property to buy» Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (online)» Apply to a mortgage lender and gain approval for a loan» Lender obtains a VA appraisal» Close the loan and move in 68
Eligibility» Generally, must serve 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty» Service must be at least 90 days during a period of war (181 during peacetime), unless discharged earlier due to a service-connected disability» Certificate of Eligibility (COE) shows Servicemember s or Veteran s eligibility for the benefit - COE must be updated upon separation/retirement 69
How To Apply Servicemembers or Veterans can obtain COE through ebenefits www.ebenefits.va.gov OR Ask your lender to apply online through the VA Portal https://vip.vba.va.gov, OR Complete and mail VA Form 26-1880 to: Eligibility Center, P.O. Box 20729 Winston-Salem, NC 27120 Eligibility can be restored if VA loan is paid in full and property is no longer owned by Servicemember/Veteran. 70
Education Benefits www.gibill.va.gov 71
VA Education Programs» Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty Chapter 30» Post 9/11 GI Bill Chapter 33 72
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty» Eligibility: Honorable discharge, a high school diploma or general educational development (GED), and active duty service after June 30, 1985. Plus, $1,200 military pay reduction.» Benefit:» Up to 36 months of benefits» Monetary benefit ranging from approximately $300- $1,400 per month, based on length of service» Expires 10 years after release from active duty» Includes apprenticeship, on-the-job training, vocational training, and flight training 73
Post-9/11 GI Bill» Eligibility: At least 90 days of aggregate active service on or after September 11, 2001, or discharged with a serviceconnected disability after 30 days. An Honorable discharge is required.» Benefit:» Up to 36 months of benefits; payable for approved training on or after August 1, 2009» Amount determined by the length of active duty service (40% up to 100%)» Expires 15 years after last qualifying period of active duty service 74
Tuition and Fees» Percentage payable (40% up to 100%) based on length of active duty service» Includes apprenticeship, on-the-job training, vocational training, and flight training» Active Duty: Pays all public, in-state tuition and fees Private and foreign schools capped at $17,500 academic year» Veterans: Pays all public, in-state tuition and fees Private and foreign schools capped at $17,500 annually Exception: Yellow Ribbon Program» Paid directly to the school on student s behalf 75
Monthly Housing Allowance» Must attend more than half-time» Prorated by rate of pursuit rounded to nearest tenth» Equivalent to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents based on school s zip code» Distance learners (e.g., online students) can receive ½ the national average BAH beginning October 1, 2011» Active duty Servicemembers are not eligible 76
Books and Supplies Stipend» Pays up to $1,000 per year» Percentage payable (40% up to 100%) based on length of active duty service» Amount paid determined by number of credit hours, with full stipend paid for 24 credit hours per academic year 77
Yellow Ribbon Program» Institutions voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to share tuition and fee costs that exceed the tuition and fee cap of $17,500 at non-public schools and for out-of-state charges» VA matches each additional dollar that an institution contributes, up to total cost of tuition and fees. Training at private institutions Out-of-state tuition 78
Yellow Ribbon Program» Payable to school when student s tuition and fees exceed the cap: Based on school participation Based on student qualification Veterans only at 100% benefit level Spouse of Veteran (transfer of entitlement) Dependent children (transfer of entitlement) 79
Transfer of Entitlement» Serves as a retention program for Department of Defense» Must be member of Armed Forces, including NOAA and PHS AND» Agree to serve from one to four additional years per rules established by Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security Only the Secretaries of Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force, or Homeland Security can authorize transfer of educational entitlement (not VA). Updated August a 1, 2011 80
Transfer of Entitlement» A Servicemember (transferor) approved to transfer benefits may: Transfer up to 36 months of benefits (unless DoD/DHS restricts number of months an individual may transfer) Revoke or modify transfer request of any unused benefits unless transferor s 15-year eligibility period has ended Transfer to spouse, children, or both in any amount up to amount transferor has available or amount approved by DoD/DHS 81
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship and Other Programs Fry Scholarship» Children of Servicemembers who died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001. Eligible for up to 36 months under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.» Other programs: Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve) Chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program) Chapter 32 (Veterans Educational Assistance Program) Chapter 35 (Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program) National Call to Service For more information on these programs, please visit www.gibill.va.gov 82
How to Apply» Apply anytime online at www.ebenefits.va.gov OR www.va.gov through Veterans ONline APPlication (VONAPP)» Submit (scan) records electronically DD Form 214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty Copies of orders if activated from the Guard/Reserves 83
Contact us: 1(888) 442-4551 www.gibill.va.gov www.facebook.com/gibilleducation Learn More Stay Updated 84
Tips» Factors to consider when choosing a school: How much will I earn with my degree? How well does the school support Veterans? Will I get credit for my military training? What is the school s graduation rate?» For a comprehensive guide on what factors to consider, please visit our website at: gibill.va.gov/resources/education_resources/choosing_a_school.html» Contact your State Approving Agency (SAA) for info regarding program approval or questions about maximum tuition and fee amounts. A listing of SAAs can be found at: www.nasaa-vetseducation.com/contacts/» The School Certifying Official certifies to VA that you are attending school» The Department of Treasury encourages Federal beneficiaries receive recurring/monthly benefits electronically 85
Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) 86
Program Objective» VA s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program (VR&E) helps active duty Servicemembers and Veterans who have service-connected disabilities become suitably employed, maintain employment, or achieve independence in daily living 87
Rehabilitation Plan» The following service-delivery options may be provided under a Rehabilitation Plan: Reemployment Rapid access to employment Employment through long-term services Independent living services Self-employment 88
Benefits and Services Available» Veterans enrolled in an approved training program have the following expenses covered: Tuition and fees Books Equipment Supplies» Veterans receive a monthly subsistence allowance, which is based on rate of pursuit and number of dependents 89
Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvement Act of 2010» Effective August 1, 2011, eligible Veterans enrolled in the VR&E program may elect the monthly housing allowance from the Post-9/11 GI Bill in lieu of the subsistence allowance» Housing allowance based on BAH for E-5 with dependents» Veterans must be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill and have remaining entitlement under that program 90
Eligibility To Apply» Servicemembers may apply for the VR&E program with a 20% memorandum rating or proposed IDES rating» Veterans are eligible to apply with a VA disability rating of at least 10%» Veterans must receive an Honorable or other than dishonorable discharge 91
Entitlement To Services» Combined service-connected disability rating of 20% or more and an employment handicap resulting primarily from such disability» Veterans rated as 10% disabled with a serious employment handicap may be entitled to VR&E services 92
Pre-Discharge Program Servicemembers may also apply for the VR&E program when applying through the Pre-Discharge Program, either Benefits Delivery at Discharge or Quick Start, or through IDES 93
Counseling» A counseling appointment will be set for eligible Servicemembers and Veterans to accomplish the following: Evaluate the applicant s interests, aptitudes, and abilities based upon testing and interviews Explore the applicant s vocational goals and objectives 94
Eligibility Period» The law provides a 12-year basic period of eligibility. The 12-year period begins on the latter of these dates: Date of separation from active military duty Or Date VA first informed the Veteran of a qualifying service-connected disability rating The period of eligibility can be extended for Veterans found to have a serious employment handicap 95
How to apply» Servicemembers, including IDES enrollees, should complete: VA Form 21-526c, Pre-Discharge Compensation Claim, or VA Form 21-526, Veteran s Application for Compensation and/or Pension, and VA Form 28-1900, Application for Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits» Veterans should complete: VA Form 21-526 (If not already rated by VA for a serviceconnected disability.) VA Form 28-1900 96
VetSuccess.gov» VR&E s comprehensive employment web site for all Veterans» Veterans can post resumes and search and apply for jobs» Employers can post jobs and search resumes 97
Disability Transition Assistance Program (DTAP)» Servicemembers may be able to participate in DTAP, a supplemental session to the Transition Assistance Program that focuses on disability, rehabilitation, and employment» During DTAP, participants: Receive a comprehensive briefing on the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program May apply for VR&E services 98
Educational Vocational Counseling» VA provides educational and vocational counseling for Servicemembers within six months of discharge and Veterans within one year post-discharge» Complete VA Form 28-8832, Application for Counseling 99