Today I want to discuss the VA’s VR&E program, or Chapter 31 Benefits. If you aren’t familiar with it, here is the link: Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) | Veterans Affairs
Bottomline, if you are in the IDES process, you are 100% eligible for this program no questions asked.
You might be asking yourself - how is this any different from the GI Bill I already have?
Well for one, it is an ADDITIONAL 48 months of educational benefits. If you have not yet used your Post 9/11 GI Bill then it doesn’t count against those 36 months meaning you can use the benefits sequentially and ultimately have a maximum of 84 months of benefits. If you have already used your Post 9/11 GI Bill, then any months already used will be deducted from the VR&E. So even if you’ve maximized your GI Bill, you still qualify for an additional 12 months of benefits.
There are also additional benefits to include total reimbursement for ALL textbooks as well as any other expenses such as lab equipment or fees and any uniforms or other materials needed for either class, lab, or clinical studies. VR&E may also reimburse you for any fees associated with certifications or state examinations.
Apart from educational benefits, VR&E also provides a ton of other career opportunities such as:
- A career assessment with a trained counselor to identify your goals and develop a plan of action in consideration of your military experience and what additional training or certification you may need to reach that goal.
- While attending training, you may eligible for a basic sustenance allowance (BAS) -OR- the Post 9/11 GI Bill’s basic allowance for housing (BAH).
- Internship and OJT opportunities with federal, state, or local government agencies through the Non-Paid Work Experience Program (NPWE).
- Career mentorship and assistance such as resume writing, job fairs, and employer outreach.
- Independent living services for veterans unable to work due to their disability.
If interested, you can apply on e-benefits and a counselor will contact you to begin the process. If you are still serving and in the IDES process, you are automatically eligible and do not need to prove any employment handicap so now is the best time to apply.
If applying for educational benefits, one thing to keep in mind is that with VR&E there is more scrutiny on your plan of action and how your goals may impact your unfit condition. So for instance, if you have a chronic back condition and say you want to become a certified lineman or want to go to school for criminal justice so you can be a special agent then it may not be approved since it could exacerbate your condition.
Additionally, your program of choice must have a reasonable expectation of gainful employment. So seeking a degree in drama because you want to be an actor may not be approved either due to the barriers of entry for that career field - with or without a degree.
You should have received a VR&E brief when you were referred to IDES; however, sometimes this does not happen and oftentimes it’s so early in the process you forget by the time you are actually retiring or separating. So make sure you follow up with the VR&E counselor as you get closer to your final out date and see what all they can offer both now while you are still in and once you are separated from service.
Last thing, I’ve mentioned this in a previous post but in addition to VR&E there are two other programs you can be taking advantage of RIGHT NOW while still serving. They are Operation Warfighter (OWF) and Education & Employment Initiative (E2I). These can hook you with full time unpaid internships while you are still in the military during your IDES process as well as provide additional counseling about all your eligible benefits as a medically retired or separated service members to ensure you maximize your benefits. I took advantage of OWF and began a full time internship with DOJ the very first month I was enrolled in IDES which led to a firm job offer. For more info, here is the link:
warriorcare.dodlive.mil
Bottomline, if you are in the IDES process, you are 100% eligible for this program no questions asked.
You might be asking yourself - how is this any different from the GI Bill I already have?
Well for one, it is an ADDITIONAL 48 months of educational benefits. If you have not yet used your Post 9/11 GI Bill then it doesn’t count against those 36 months meaning you can use the benefits sequentially and ultimately have a maximum of 84 months of benefits. If you have already used your Post 9/11 GI Bill, then any months already used will be deducted from the VR&E. So even if you’ve maximized your GI Bill, you still qualify for an additional 12 months of benefits.
There are also additional benefits to include total reimbursement for ALL textbooks as well as any other expenses such as lab equipment or fees and any uniforms or other materials needed for either class, lab, or clinical studies. VR&E may also reimburse you for any fees associated with certifications or state examinations.
Apart from educational benefits, VR&E also provides a ton of other career opportunities such as:
- A career assessment with a trained counselor to identify your goals and develop a plan of action in consideration of your military experience and what additional training or certification you may need to reach that goal.
- While attending training, you may eligible for a basic sustenance allowance (BAS) -OR- the Post 9/11 GI Bill’s basic allowance for housing (BAH).
- Internship and OJT opportunities with federal, state, or local government agencies through the Non-Paid Work Experience Program (NPWE).
- Career mentorship and assistance such as resume writing, job fairs, and employer outreach.
- Independent living services for veterans unable to work due to their disability.
If interested, you can apply on e-benefits and a counselor will contact you to begin the process. If you are still serving and in the IDES process, you are automatically eligible and do not need to prove any employment handicap so now is the best time to apply.
If applying for educational benefits, one thing to keep in mind is that with VR&E there is more scrutiny on your plan of action and how your goals may impact your unfit condition. So for instance, if you have a chronic back condition and say you want to become a certified lineman or want to go to school for criminal justice so you can be a special agent then it may not be approved since it could exacerbate your condition.
Additionally, your program of choice must have a reasonable expectation of gainful employment. So seeking a degree in drama because you want to be an actor may not be approved either due to the barriers of entry for that career field - with or without a degree.
You should have received a VR&E brief when you were referred to IDES; however, sometimes this does not happen and oftentimes it’s so early in the process you forget by the time you are actually retiring or separating. So make sure you follow up with the VR&E counselor as you get closer to your final out date and see what all they can offer both now while you are still in and once you are separated from service.
Last thing, I’ve mentioned this in a previous post but in addition to VR&E there are two other programs you can be taking advantage of RIGHT NOW while still serving. They are Operation Warfighter (OWF) and Education & Employment Initiative (E2I). These can hook you with full time unpaid internships while you are still in the military during your IDES process as well as provide additional counseling about all your eligible benefits as a medically retired or separated service members to ensure you maximize your benefits. I took advantage of OWF and began a full time internship with DOJ the very first month I was enrolled in IDES which led to a firm job offer. For more info, here is the link:
Education and Employment Initiative
Are you an active duty wounded, ill, or injured Service member looking for a civilian educational or employment opportunity to help you prepare for your transition out of the military? […]
warriorcare.dodlive.mil