Has anyone successfully used VA Vocational Rehabilitation?

2016-02-23T17:47:40-05:00

I actually have more than one question hidden inside my listed question. Please excuse me if I am hashing old stuff. First, I am have a VERY difficult time with the lady who runs Voc Rehab (out of Memphis, TN) returning my call. I have been trying to get an appointment since a few months before Christmas. Also, how does Voc Rehab work if you don't have any of your Post 9/11 GI Bill left?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 5:50 PM

2016-02-23T17:50:40-05:00

If you paid into the montgomery, you can get that money back. I know little about Voc Rehab but I can share a few resources.

Below is a list of scholarships. There are many more Veteran targeted, also, on the VA site.
http://golivelively.com/2015/03/16/scholarships/

Scholarships

I wonder how much trouble I could get in for sharing this extensive list of scholarship programs. I received this list from a FAFSA rep while stationed on Fort Bragg. Apply for a scholarship. It&#8…

Response by SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. made Feb 23 at 2016 5:51 PM

2016-02-23T17:51:34-05:00

Voc Rehab can initially cover 12 months if you have used 36 months of GI Bill benefits, it depends though on what you're applying for and trying to have Voc Rehab cover. The application process is actually done online through eBenefits, or you can print the form out and mail it in to your local office, however, it's probably a safer bet to mail it in to the regional office if you go that route.

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-28-1900-ARE.pdf

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Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 5:56 PM

2016-02-23T17:56:52-05:00

A VERY GOOD QUESTION SOMEONE PLEASE HELP THIS SOLDIER OUT.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Feb 23 at 2016 5:59 PM

2016-02-23T17:59:26-05:00

SPC(P) Jay Heenan I tried it and got the run around because my counselor felt obligated to think for me and try to be me. It was weird! I will try another day within the 12 year time limit with obvious another counselor.

Response by Cpl Chad Perry made Feb 23 at 2016 6:01 PM

2016-02-23T18:01:53-05:00

I used my GI bill to get an associates degree in 95-97. When I decided to go back and get my bachelors degree in 07 my GI bill was expired. I applied for Voc Rehab with the assistance of a VA employment counselor at my local unemployment office. It was totally painless, at least it was up here in MN. Voc Rehab was awesome. They paid for tuition, books, cost of living check, everything. I never had to worry about paperwork. I just signed up for my classes and the school billed the VA. I would go to the book store to get all my stuff for classes, and all I had to do was tell the cashier I was on Voc Rehab and they billed the VA. The VA even bought me a laptop. After I graduated the VA assigned me to an employment counselor who was really helpful. Never had any problems.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 6:17 PM

2016-02-23T18:17:28-05:00

Absolutely!!! I did have 2 component VA Voc Rehab Reps in Syracuse which made it seamless. Plus the college I went to was started as a Veterans college in 1946 (Utica College) so the process their was seamless with books and all. They gave me around $300 for living expenses too ('96's-00).

Response by CW2 Jim Hill made Feb 23 at 2016 6:44 PM

2016-02-23T18:44:04-05:00

For me, Voc Rehab was more than worth it. This info is a little old. But for what it's worth, I exited active duty with the Army in 1973 and decided to go back to college. I finished the undergrad degree on the GI Bill, and then applied for Voc Rehab. The VA paid for tuition, books, and living expenses, while I worked a regular job and went to school full time. I had a family with 3 small kids, and it would have been impossible for me to have finished Grad school without Voc Rehab. There were a few hassles with crossing t's and dotting i's, but it was definitely worth it. I was fairly clear with the end goal I had in mind and looked at Voc Rehab as one of the tools to get there. At the time, I worked thru a counselor at the college and didn't have that much interaction directly with the VA. But the program itself was pretty flawless, and it made a huge difference for me. I would say to keep pushing and stay focused on your end goal, and I wish you the best!

Response by CW2 Max Dolan made Feb 23 at 2016 9:08 PM

2016-02-23T21:08:23-05:00

Good question. You can get up to 12 more months of education if you have used up your GI Bill and need some more work to get you to where you can work in a different field. You can get a cost-of-living stipend if you qualify for it, too. There are always "ifs, ands and buts" to any VA application, and each case must stand on its own merits.
Stay at it. This is not something you can simply "apply" for and be granted using the eBenefits website. There is a thorough evaluation process to go through. You can get the process started here:
https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vre and put in the application if you have not done so already. Just this very minute, that particular web page is "down" for some reason. Here is the page where you can actually download the form: http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526EZ-ARE.pdf
Instructions are included. This is an "all-purpose" form for VA, so it won't get you anything but an appointment, usually. It has to go to your VA Regional Office in Nashville. Here's their website: http://www.benefits.va.gov/Nashville/ Finally, check out some of Tennessee's veterans' benefits here: https://tn.gov/veteran/section/veteran-state-benefits
If you have any more problems in Memphis, give me an email ( [login to see] ). I was a VA Benefits Counselor at Ft. Bragg for some time, and am now on a different contract project. I know some of people at the VA in Tennessee and can most likely find you some help with this if problems persist.
Hope this helps! I'm here for you officially and as a "Battle Buddy."

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment - eBenefits

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 3:59 AM

2016-02-24T03:59:48-05:00

Yes it is an awesome program! Completed 7 years of college and 3 degrees along with having stipend and VA purchasing all books ,computer etc.

Response by SGT James Hastings made Feb 25 at 2016 12:11 PM

2016-02-25T12:11:19-05:00

Well, I received help modifying a job station for me through the VA representative with the WorkSource. They paid for it and I am forever grateful. My experiences with the VA have all been positive. I filed for disability some 30 years after discharge and was lucky that my medical records were still available although my 201 file, along with thousands of other went up in smoke long before that. It took 8 months for the disability rating to go through and of course, I received back pay for that period of time in a lump check. I intend to file for additional problems related to my combat injury so we shall see how that works out.

Response by LTC John Sutherland made Mar 2 at 2018 12:51 AM

2018-03-02T00:51:36-05:00

I have the same question. I have a rating of 50% but I already have a good job in the IT field. I have a Masters in IT from 15 years ago but I need to update my skills with some certifications to move to the next level or just ensure I will stay employed in the future.

I just received a call today for a meeting with a Voc Rehab counselor. Should I still go? Can I still get a certificate paid for if I already have a job?

Response by SP5 Jon Cornelius made Apr 30 at 2018 8:44 AM

2018-04-30T08:44:59-04:00

I did

Response by SPC Nicole Carpenter made Jun 1 at 2018 3:28 PM

2018-06-01T15:28:08-04:00

Yes

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jun 6 at 2018 6:21 PM

2018-06-06T18:21:51-04:00

To use Voc Rehab you have to have a disability rating, I don't see that mentioned here. But it is normally 30% but the previous administration lowered it to 20% I am not sure if that was permanently or temporary during the recession. If you meet these criteria, and can't get support, use the VA 1-800 number, if that doesn't work time for the atomic grenade and mail your Congressional representative.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 13 at 2018 12:49 PM

2018-08-13T12:49:06-04:00

1. Go to their office
1A. If you can't get support document all the times you have called, and send a letter to your Congressional Representative.
2. Post 9/11 GI Bill is not part of Voc Rehab
3. You must have a service connected disability with the given rating to be eligible for Voc Rehab.
4. Voc Rehab may be used for College
5. If you are going to a trade school, and the school says you need a given set of tools Voc Rehab will normally pay for those given tools.

I hope that helps.

Response by SPC Mark Smith made May 9 at 2019 7:26 AM

2019-05-09T07:26:28-04:00

I had the same problem? I have been voc-rehabilitation for 3 years coming up? No conversation with counselor no help.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 2 at 2019 6:43 PM

2019-07-02T18:43:49-04:00

I just sent a thread about the unpaid VA Vic rehab option, I want to use it for helping me do certain specific volunteer/goodwill stuff, I know the option exists, I'm just trying to find any on her who've used it, I have the reg on it...anyone here ever used it at all?

Response by LCpl Douglas Elfving made Jul 3 at 2019 12:52 AM

2019-07-03T00:52:31-04:00

If she won't return your call then call the President's Hotline for Veteran's Affairs.