Chapter 31 VA Benefits: What You Need to Know

It’s not uncommon for veterans with disabilities to be confronted with obstacles when seeking employment in the civilian world.

Because of their disabilities, many veterans may have a limited ability to work or the inability to work altogether.

Luckily, the VA and the Department of Defense have made strides in accommodating veterans who suffer from a disability in their post-enlistment life. 

One such accommodation is known as Chapter 31 VA benefits (Veteran Readiness and Employment).

We will explain the basics of Chapter 31 VA benefits, who is eligible, how to apply for them, and how they can be used to explore employment and education opportunities. 

What is VR&E (Chapter 31)?

Chapter 31 VA Benefits is a program designed to assist disabled veterans that have a service-connected disability in finding long-term employment after their service period has ended.

The idea is to make the transition to civilian life as seamless as possible and ensure that veterans with service-connected disabilities are set up for success. 

This is done via a multitude of available avenues such as assistance with job searching, job counseling, and job-site training as well as vocational rehabilitation and education benefits such as financial assistance. 

Chapter 31 is a great resource for disabled veterans as it not only provides them with skills and training for independence and success in civilian employment but also a network of resources that they can rely on when facing adversity. 

Some of the services available to eligible veterans include:

Job Training

Chapter 31 provides access to on-the-job training as well as apprenticeships, and other opportunities that can lead to permanent employment.

Vocational Counseling

Counselors work with veterans to provide guidance such as finding careers that align with their skills, aptitudes, and interests.

Educational Benefits

Assistance with tuition and non-tuition related costs such as books, school supplies, fees, dorm costs, and meal plans.

Miscellaneous Support

A multitude of other services including resume development, special training, work-readiness assistance, supportive rehabilitation services, and special employer incentives and job accommodations.

Prior to 2021, under the previous 48-month rule, veterans who use VR&R benefits would only be able to use 36 months of other educational assistance benefits such as Chapter 30 and Chapter 33.

However, this rule was changed as of Apr. 11, 2021.

This means that if you use Chapter 31 first, you will keep your Chapter 30 and Chapter 33 benefits.

Chapter 31 vs GI Bill (Chapter 30 and Chapter 33)

Students should be aware that Chapter 31 differs from Chapter 33, better known as the GI Bill, quite a bit.

Mainly, while Chapter 31 is designed specifically to accommodate disabled veterans and has a few stipulations to qualify, the GI Bill has no such conditions and is available to veterans and active duty service members without a disability requirement. 

Also, while the GI Bill has up to 36 months of benefits, Chapter 31 entitles qualifying veterans to up to 48 months of benefits. 

A great perk of your service is that if you qualify, you can use both at the same time.

Since Chapter 31 is designed for vocational rehabilitation, you can use it to cover the cost of tuition while also using the GI Bill funds for monthly housing allowance and a book stipend. 

Before attempting to use your Chapter 31 benefits, you’ll need to ensure that you find an approved school.

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a search tool that provides a database of schools that accept Chapter 31 and GI Bill benefits.

VR&E COLA Subsistence Allowance Rates

The VA sometimes makes what are called cost-of-living adjustments or COLAs to benefits and compensation to help prevent benefits from slipping behind inflation rates.

These COLA subsistence rates also adjust depending on the number of dependents that a veteran has. 

The adjusted COLA subsistence allowance rates for FY 2023 can be found below and are based on the 7.87% increase.

Type of Training

Institutional; Non-pay or nominal pay work experience in a facility of a Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe agency; Improvement of Rehabilitation Potential:

Non-pay or nominal pay on-job training in a facility of a Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe agency; Training in the home; Vocational course in a rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop; Independent instructor:

Farm Cooperative, Apprenticeship or other On-Job Training 2:

Combination of Institutional and On-Job Training (Institutional Greater than ½);Non-farm Cooperative Institutional Training and Non-farm Cooperative On-Job Training (FT Non-Farm Coop/Institutional):

Combination of Institutional and On-Job Training (On-the-Job Greater than ½); Non-farm Cooperative Institutional Training and Non-farm Cooperative On-Job Training (FT Non-Farm Coop/On-the-Job):

VR&E Tracks for Service Members & Veterans

Chapter 31 comes with five support-and-service tracks designed to get you aligned with the proper education or training that you need for your individual career path.

• Reemployment: This track can help you return to your former job while also supporting your employer in providing accommodations.
• Rapid access to employment: This track prioritizes finding a job that utilizes your existing skill set.
• Self-employment: This employment track will help you start your own business, which could benefit you if your disability proves a significant barrier for employment.
• Long-term services: If you’re looking to find employment in a new or different field, this track provides the education and training necessary.
• Independent living: If your disability prevents you from returning to work immediately, this track will helplink you with services to help you live as independently as possible.

Who is Eligible?

Chapter 31 benefits are available to prior service members with a service-connected disability.

This can mean a disability that was caused or made worse by your active-duty service. 

However, there are a few requirements that any veteran applying for Chapter 31 must meet. 

• You were not dishonorably discharged 
• You have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from the VA

Additionally, there are specific windows of eligibility for Chapter 3.

If you were discharged from active duty before Jan. 1, 2013, your period of eligibility ends 12 years from the latest of these two dates:

• The date you received your date of separation from active duty 
• The date you received your VAservice-connected disability rating 

If you were discharged after Jan. 1, 2013, this 12-year window of eligibility doesn’t apply to you.

If your eligibility doesn’t fall within either of these windows, it’s possible to have it extended if a vocational rehabilitation center (VRC) determines that you have a serious employment handicap (SEH).

 If you have an SEH, it indicates that your handicap significantly impairs your capacity to find and keep a sustainable job.

Additionally, you must be able to demonstrate that your impairment prevents you from pursuing vocational training or being able to work.

Once these conditions are satisfied, you can get in touch with a VRC, who will work with you to construct a plan specifically designed to assist you in achieving your career goals.

Current active duty service members are also eligible for Chapter 31 so long as they meet one of the requirements: 

• You have a 20% or higher pre-discharge disability rating and will soon be discharged
• You’re awaiting discharge to do due to an injury that occurred during active duty

Also note that if it is determined that you have a severe injury, you are automatically eligible prior to receiving your VA disability rating. 

What if I Didn’t Receive an Honorable Discharge?

Veterans who received a discharge other than honorable such as a dishonorable discharge may find themselves ineligible for VA benefits.

You may be able to qualify by applying for a discharge upgrade.

How Does This Affect Dependents and Family Members?

Potential applicants may wonder if Chapter 31 benefits are transferable to dependents in the way some other benefits are.

Unfortunately, Chapter 31 benefits are only able to be used by the veteran and are not transferable. 

However, other options such as Chapter 33 and Chapter 36 are available to dependents. For more information, check the VA website.

How to Apply

For veterans or active duty members that are soon to be discharged, there are a few methods of application for Chapter 31 benefits.

If you already have a disability rating, you can apply right now via the VA website. 

Potential applicants can also apply via:

Mail

Download and complete an Application for Vocational Rehabilitation for Claimants with Service-Connected Disabilities (VA Form 28-1900). 

Send the completed application to:

Department of Veterans Affairs

VR&E Intake Center

PO Box 5210

Janesville, WI

53547-5210

In Person

Contact a VA regional office near you to apply in person.

With professional assistance

If you need assistance in filing an application, a trained professional can help.

What If the VA Denied My Disability Claim?

If you have been denied benefits or are attempting to increase your rating, the team at Hill & Ponton may be able to assist you.

Click the button blow to get more information.