The Basics

If you are a military service member or veteran with a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program can help you prepare for, find, and keep a job or career. It can also provide the support you need to let you live as independently as possible. VR&E is a program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), it is sometimes called VA Chapter 31, and it used to be called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment.

VR&E provides a range of services based on your needs and goals. This can include vocational counseling and planning, job training, help finding and keeping a job, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, education, counseling, medical referrals, independent living services, and more. Many VR&E services are designed to help you find and get suitable employment — a job that doesn’t make your disability worse; is stable; and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

To qualify for VR&E, you must have a VA disability rating of at least 10% and must not have received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge. To get a VA disability rating, you must provide evidence that your condition was either caused or made worse by your active-duty service. Learn more about VA Disability Ratings.

Note: For some injuries and illnesses, the VA automatically assumes (or “presumes”) that your military service caused your condition, and you do not have to prove that your disability is service-connected. Learn more about presumptive conditions.

When you apply for VR&E, a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) will work with you to see if you qualify for VR&E benefits and services. Learn more about eligibility for VR&E.

After you are approved for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), you and your counselor work together to create your rehabilitation plan. Your plan lists the VR&E services you can use to help you get education or training, find and keep a job, and live independently. Once your plan is created, your counselor provides ongoing counseling and helps you get tutoring, job training, medical referrals, and other support. You can typically get VR&E benefits and services for up to 48 months. Learn more about VR&E Benefits and Services.