Wednesday, April 27, 2011

One Benefit You Didn't Know About: Vocational Rehab

When you leave the military, you might not have the best information about benefits you are eligible for, and it is hard to find out all of the benefits you can get from the VA.  One benefit that I have taken advantage of is Vocational Rehab.  If you have a service connected disability of 20% or more and have not been out of the military for more than 12 years you are likely eligible.  The goal of Vocational Rehab is to help you gain employment, which means that they will send you to school or trade school if that will help you reach your goals.


Here are some benefits with Vocational Rehab that make it more appealing than just using your GI Bill.  You are entitled to a monthly stipend which can range from $554 to $810 if you have two dependents with an extra $59 for each additional benefit.  Not only is your tuition paid for up front, but so are your books and supplies if they are bought through the school bookstore.  You don't have to pay for your books, binders, pens, and pencils upfront and wait for a reimbursement check, but if you do buy supplies from another location you can be reimbursed.  I even got approval to buy a printer from my school bookstore, which was paid for by Vocational Rehab.  You also have a counselor that is there to help you reach your goal of gaining employment.  They will check up on you every once in a while to see if there is anything else you need to reach this goal, even after you are done with school.

Every program has their problems, but the main problems I have encountered with Vocational Rehab have been minor and were taken care of by the school.  My tuition payments have been late, but the bursars office has always extended me credit knowing that the payment will come.  All in all, this is a great benefit, and everybody that can should take advantage.  Look up more information and eligibility requirements at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for this information. I'm not sure how I missed this post!! I'm going to have my husband read it as we go for his Vocational Rehab appointment Tuesday. :-) Thanks again!!

    ~April

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  2. Vocational rehab really is a big help especially to individuals from military, with physical and mental disabilities. They are rightful for those services.

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