(VR&E) - "What is that?"

GET THE EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING YOU NEED!!

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), is an earned veteran benefit that (nearly) ALL veterans are entitled to. Vocational Rehabilitation can change your life, I say this from experience. This VA benefit can do it all once you learn what to ask for and how to ask for it.

People in the military get hurt, it’s all part of the job. Whether you're infantry (front line as some people like to call it), infantry support (everyone else), or just performing normal duties daily, injuries will happen. Some of these injuries are so severe that they cause permanent disability and can even end a military career. Leaving you with what one specific skill. What if no one is hiring for a prior service Military Cook, Police Officer, or Infantryman. What are you suppose to do?

Well that is where VR&E comes in. Congress authorized the Vocational Rehabilitation program to assist Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable employment. For Veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, Vocational Rehabilitation offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

The VA (Veterans Administration) provides the funding, service and management of Vocational Rehabilitation through a program called VetSuccess. This VetSuccess program provides for:

• Comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills, and interests for employment
• Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment services
• Employment services such as job-training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance
• Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives and job accommodations
• On the Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, and non-paid work experiences
• Post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school
• Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling, and medical referrals
• Independent living services for Veterans unable to work due to the severity of their disabilities

Who is Eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation?

Active Duty personnel are eligible if they expect an honorable discharge upon separation, apply for and receive a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the VA, and apply for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess program.

Disabled Veterans are eligible if they have received a discharge that is other than dishonorable, have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), and have applied for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess program

Whether you are Active Duty or a veteran, you need to know that that this is NOT an automatic benefit. You need to take steps to get the benefit – you need to APPLY for it!

Period of Eligibility

You have 12 years to use your VR&E VetSuccess services, starting from your date of separation from active military service, or the date you’re notified by the VA with your service-connected disability rating. You can get the period of eligibility extended if a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) determines that you have a serious employment handicap.

 Eligibility VS Entitlement!!!!

We've all been in the military so you know that being eligible and being entitled (and actually RECEIVING) benefits are two different things. You're going to have to jump through some hoops. The first hoop is meeting with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) for a comprehensive evaluation to determine if you’re entitled to services. The evaluation includes:

• Assessment of your interests, aptitudes, and abilities
• Assessment of whether service connected disabilities impair your ability to find or hold a job using the occupational skills you’ve developed
• Vocational exploration and goal development leading to employment or maximum independence at home and in your community.

What does all that mean? You have to prove that you’re disabled, and that you know what you want to do with your vocational rehabilitation. 

Entitlement Determination

The second hoop is the entitlement determination. The entitlement determination is where the VA counselor determines whether or not you have an employment handicap. You have an employment handicap if your service related disability impairs your ability to get or keep a job.

REMEMBER

Now, if you disability rating is under 20%, or if your 12 year period of eligibility expired, then you’ll need to qualify for a serious employment handicap.

Email: ccutts@cjhelpsvets.com
Twitter: @cjhelpsvets
LinkedIn: Cj Cutts

PTSD and Holidays

For you or anyone else spending time with family and friends over the holidays can be fun, but the flurry of festivities can also add stress. This is particularly true for someone with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

If you or a family member has PTSD, it does not have to negatively impact the holidays. There are healthy ways to cope and manage stress.

Here are a list of tips that can help you manage your PTSD symptoms over this holiday season:

• Make a list of your favorite coping tools that you can use for different types of situations. Keep them on hand, in the event something triggers you.
• Bring stress management tools with you wherever you go with online tools and apps such as PTSD Coach and Mindfulness Coach.
• Create a playlist of music that you can listen to when you are stressed.
• Make a folder of favorite photos. Look through them to take your mind off what is stressing you.
• Write a list of the reasons you want to change your habits or reactions. They help motivate you.
• Set time limits for activities that are difficult for you.
• Reward yourself for your hard work with a healthy activity.
• Reach out for support if you need it. Know who you can rely on for help. If your symptoms of PTSD are getting worse or you feel down, reach out to your provider or call the crisis line.

If you know someone with PTSD, there are things you can do to make sure the holiday season is pleasant and enjoyable for everyone:

• Educate yourself: Read about PTSD Symptoms, and how PTSD affects your loved one.
• Talk to your family member about what they need to feel comfortable during the holidays. If your loved one needs services, call Coaching into Care for advice in talking to them about treatment.
• Keep important resources at hand, such as the Veterans Crisis Line, a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

For more advice or tips on dealing with PTSD or any other veteran issues I can be reached

Email: ccutts@cjhelpsvets.com
Twitter: @cjhelpsvets
LinkedIn: Cj Cutts