Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

V E T S U C C E S S

Vocational Rehabilitation & Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E)Employment (VR&E)

Presenters: Presenters: Leslie Arje M.S., CRCLeslie Arje M.S., CRC

Heather Becker M.S., CRCHeather Becker M.S., CRC

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Title 38, CFR, Chapter 31

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The VR&E program assists veterans with service-connected disabilities in overcoming barriers to employment to allow them to prepare for, find, and keep suitable employment.

For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

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VR&E Process

• Application and Eligibility Determination

• Chapter 31 Benefit Orientation

• Vocational Assessment/Evaluation

• Entitlement Determination

• Career Exploration and Plan Development

• Plan Implementation

• Employment Assistance

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Who is Eligible to Apply?

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Veterans are eligible if they:

1.) Have received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable

2.) Have a service-connected (S-C) disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 10% or more from the Department of Veteran Affairs

3.) Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services

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Who is Eligible to Apply?

Active Duty Service Members are eligible if they:

1.) Expect to receive an honorable discharge upon separation from active duty

2.) Obtain a memorandum rating of  20% or more from the VA

3.) Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services

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What Happens Next

The veteran is scheduled to attend a group orientation, then meet a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for a comprehensive evaluation to determine if he/she is entitled for services.

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What is Entitlement

A veteran with a 20% or greater service-connected disability must have an “Employment Handicap”:

•Vocational impairments interfering with a veteran’s ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with his or her abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

•The impairment must result in substantial part from a service-connected disability.

•The veteran cannot have overcome the impairment with current employment or education.

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What is Entitlement

A veteran with a 10% disability must have a “Serious Employment Handicap”

• Significant vocational impairments such as severe or multiple disabilities, unstable work history, substance abuse history, frequent hospitalizations, chronic pain, criminal record, withdrawal from society, difficulties communicating, etc.

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Evaluation Resources

• Rehabilitation Needs Inventory

• Vocational testing results

• Psycho-social, vocationally oriented interview

• Prior transcripts & training records

• Resume, job descriptions, performance appraisals

• Medical records & rating decision

• Consultation with other service providers

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VR&E Basic Benefit Information

A total of 48 months of combined VA education benefits

VR&E services may be used 12 years from the latter of the following:

‾ Date of separation from active military service, or ‾ Date the veteran was first notified by VA of a

service-connected disability rating.

An extension of these limits is possible under specific circumstances

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Who is not entitled

• A veteran that is working and maintaining employment that is not aggravating his or her service-connected disabilities and is consistent with his or her interests.

• A veteran with a 10% service connected disability or a veteran who is beyond his or her 12-year period of eligibility, that does not have other significant circumstances that are affecting his/her ability to obtain or maintain suitable employment

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The 5 Tracks

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1. Re-employment

2. Rapid Access Employment

3. Employment through Long Term Services

4. Self-employment

5. Independent Living

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VR&E Basics

Program must be aligned with “suitable” employment:

• consistent with your interests, aptitudes, and abilities

• does not aggravate your disabilities

• is stable and continuing

• requires reasonably developed skills

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• Veterans can only receive one VA educational benefit during the same semester. Veterans cannot receive more than one VA training benefit at the same time (e.g. CH-33 and CH-31).

• Each veteran’s program is uniquely designed to meet his/her needs. We may not be able to sponsor an advanced or second degree. You cannot pursue just ANY type of training or education under VetSuccess.

• Veterans are expected to find and secure their own job.

VR&E Basics

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Support Services

• Financial assistance for training costs

• Case management

• Personal adjustment counseling

• Tutoring

• Assistive technology

• Medical services

• Independent living assistance

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Comparison ofComparison of BenefitsBenefitsCH-31: VR&E CH-30; M-GI Bill CH-33: Post 9-11

Eligibility: Must be found entitled to VetSuccess in order to use.

Eligible if Entered AD after 6/30/85 and did not decline in writing

Eligible if served AD after 9/10/01 and irrevocably decline CH-30 GI Bill in writing

Duration: Up to 48 months of education or training benefits

36 months of F/T benefits 36 months of F/T benefits

Expiration: Generally, within 12 years of initial finding of eligibility

Within 10 years after last separation date

Within 15 years of separation date

Tuition & Fees:

Paid directly to facility, including textbooks & supplies

Paid directly to veteran Paid directly to school

Allowance: Subsistence allowance; although BAH substitution is possible.

No extra allowances BAH at E-5 with dependents rate

Extra services:

YES NO NO

Line 4 Indicates the degree program and type

Line 5Indicates enrollment

period

Line 9Specifies services / items authorized (i.e. tuition,

fees, textbooks, supplies, etc.)

Line 11AMUST be signed by VRC

Department of Veterans Affairs

AUTHORIZATION AND CERTIFICATION OF ENTRANCE OR REENTRANCE INTO REHABILITATION AND CERTIFICATION OF STATUS

NOTE: Before completing this form, read the instructions and other important information on the back. SECTION A - IDENTIFYING DATA

1. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF ENTITLED INDIVIDUAL 2. VA FILE NUMBER

Bruce Springsteen

XXX-XX-XXXX 123 E Street Steel Mill, USA 12345

3. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER XXX-XX-XXX

SECTION B - AUTHORIZATION TO FACILITY/VENDOR 4. NAME OF SERVICES/ASSISTANCE (Include degree type when applicable) Chemistry-BS

5. ENROLLMENT PERIOD 01/22/2013-05/09/2013

6. IWRP CODE

7. FACILITY CODE 6060852

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF FACILITY OR SERVICE PROVIDER (Vendor) The Boss University 2 Thunder Road Lucky Town, USA 12345

9. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES (Restricted hours; course approved/not approved restricted; bookstore purchases; tutoring approved; etc).

The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay for all tuition, fees, books and supplies following the submission of itemized invoices to this office.

10. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CASE MANAGER OR DESIGNEE Leslie Arje Depatment of Veteran Affairs 130 South Elmwwod Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202

11A. SIGNATURE OF CASE MANAGER

11B. DATE SIGNED

SECTION C - CERTIFICATION OF ATTENDANCE 12. I CERTIFY that the individual named in Item 1 began or resumed the program shown in Item 4 on the beginning date for term 1 given in Item 13A. He or she continues to be pursuing or enrolled in that program. Charges for this program are in accordance with our current: (Check one) VA CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT SCHOOL CATALOG OTHER PUBLISHED DOCUMENTS

13. ENROLLMENT DATA A. TERM

B. BEGINNING DATE

C. ENDING DATE

D. TYPE AND NUMBER

OF HOURS (S=semester Q=quarter D=de ficiency R=residence C=clock/shop U=Carnegie)

E. TRAINING TIME

(F=full-time ¾=¾-time ½=½-time

L=less than ½ time)

F. STANDARD CLASS SESSION PER WEEK

(Only if less than the term hours certified or if the term is of non-standard length)

1

2

3

4

14. LISTING OF SPECIFIC COURSES (In place of this list, you may attach a copy of registration or other documentation)

15A. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICIAL 15B. DATE SIGNED

VA FORM 28-1905 APR 2002

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CH 31 VA Once Printout

• VRC’s email address should be listed on the bio page of VA Once

• Courses need to be listed in the Remarks Section• Indicate type of training, for example, non-degree,

undergraduate, graduate…• NEVER amend certifications. ALWAYS process as a

change• Be aware of VA Once codes:

5R Rejected5A Accepted

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Department of Veterans Affairs

VA-ONCE Enrollment Certification Detail

Veteran

Name of Student VA File Number SSN

James Buffet XXX-XX-XXXX XXX-XX-XX

Program

Facility Code School Name

6060852 Parrot University

Certification Number Type of Training

8675309 Undergraduate

Program

Chemistry - BS

Dates

Date Signed 01/09/2013 Last Date of Attendance

Begin Date 01/22/2013 Date Adjustment Is Effective

End Date 05/09/2013 Last Date Credit Accrued

Description

Tuition $9,700.00 Charge Per Lesson

Credit Hours 13 Number of Lessons Student Enrolled

Clock Hours Were lessons serviced before date sent to student?

R/D Hours Hours in Standard Week

Training Time Hours Trainee Is Employed

Remarks: Biochem 315, Biochem Lab 315, CHM 380, CHM 380 LAB, ENG 220, CALC 280

Lessons and Dates

Reason for Termination or Adjustment

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What’s new

Ability to elect Chapter 33 BAH rate if eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill

•Veteran needs to complete application for Post 9/11

•VR&E counselor will assist veteran with required VR&E paperwork

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What’s new

Vet Success on CampusServices are offered to veterans, active duty service members, and veterans’ dependents on campus.

•support services

•benefits information and referrals for VA benefits and services

•employment workshops and networking opportunities

•expedited entitlement decisions for students applying for CH 31

• outreach to the community

•presentations on VA benefits and services

•coordination with the school’s referrals to other veteran specific organizations 21

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What’s New

VA for VetsAssists veterans and service members find federal employment opportunities that match their experience, skills, and interests by:

•Translating military skills, occupation and rank into civilian-friendly language•Building effective federal resumes to increase application acceptance•Assessing knowledge and skills to learn which federal civilian jobs fit best•Career Coaches available via phone

www.VAforVEts.VA.gov22

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E-Benefits and VR&E

• Apply for vocational rehabilitation services

• Track VR&E claim status and stipend payments

www.ebenefits.va.gov

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VetSuccess.gov

What is VETSUCCESS.GOV?

Specialized job bank and “Job Central” bank with access to over 4 million jobs

• National Association of State Workforce Agencies• Direct Employers – Fortune 500 companies

Job resource tools • Resume Builder• Interview Skills• Career Resources

Link to other VA benefits and services

• Online application for VR&E – Chapter 31 services• Educational Benefits

VetSuccess.govVetSuccess.gov