Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)

A veteran may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits if he or she incurred or aggravated a service-connected disability on or after September 16, 1940, which entitles him or her to DVA disability compensation and who is in need of vocational rehabilitation because his or her disability creates an employment handicap.

Vocational rehabilitation may be provided for up to 48 months. An eligible veteran now generally has 12 years from the date he or she is notified of entitlement to DVA compensation in which to use their benefits. DVA may approve an extension of time and/or length of training in certain cases. Disabled veterans are encouraged to contact the DVA office nearest them to obtain detailed information and to request Form 28-1900, Disabled Veterans' Application for Vocational Rehabilitation.

Purpose

Vocational rehabilitation (Chapter 31) is intended to help the service-disabled veteran become independent in daily living and, to the extent possible, to select, prepare for, and secure employment which is compatible with his or her interests, abilities, physical capabilities, and goals.

Under Chapter 31, VA pays the cost of tuition, fees, books, equipment, and supplies. The veteran also receives a monthly subsistence allowance. Since VA makes separate payment to assist the veteran in meeting the costs of school attendance and the veteran is receiving (or is entitled to receive) monthly disability compensation payments, the monthly subsistence rates under Chapter 31 are somewhat lower than the monthly payments made to veterans under other VA educational assistance programs. For example, the monthly subsistence payment to a Chapter 31 veteran without dependents is currently $333 for full-time training. The full-time monthly rate for a veteran with one dependent is $413; with 2 dependents the rate is $486. For each additional dependent, the veteran is entitled to $35 per month additional while training at a full-time rate. Monthly subsistence rates are proportionately lower when training is at a half-time or a three-quarter time rate. No benefits are payable for less than half-time training.

Each veteran under Chapter 31 is assisted by both a VA counseling psychologist and a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) in developing an individualized written rehabilitation plan and in selecting an appropriate training facility. The veteran continues to receive assistance from a VRS throughout the training program.

Other services and benefits include:

1. Tutoring, reading service, other special help in training, if needed;
2. Interest-free advances against future subsistence allowance payments, which are repaid through deductions from the veteran's monthly allowances;
3. Medical and dental treatment, prosthetic aids, special equipment, and special restorative services, as necessary, to enter and stay in the rehabilitation program; and
4. Job development, placement, and post-placement services after the remaining phase of the program has been completed.