What it is: The Veteran Readiness and Employment program (VR&E), also called Chapter 31, helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain suitable employment. If your service-connected conditions prevent you from working in your previous field, VR&E can retrain you for an entirely new career. Governed by 38 CFR Part 21, Subpart A.
What VR&E Covers
- Full tuition and fees at the school or training program — no cap equivalent to GI Bill limits.
- Books and supplies.
- Monthly subsistence allowance during training (similar to the GI Bill housing allowance).
- Vocational and career counseling.
- Job placement assistance.
- Independent living services for veterans who cannot work at all.
Eligibility
- Service-connected disability rating of 20% or higher, OR a 10% rating with a serious employment handicap.
- Honorable or other-than-dishonorable discharge.
- Must apply within 12 years of separation or the date of your first VA disability rating, whichever is later.
- Program entitlement is 48 months of full-time training (extendable in certain circumstances).
VR&E vs. GI Bill: VR&E often pays more than the GI Bill because it covers actual tuition costs without a cap and includes additional support services. Veterans who qualify for both should compare carefully. An accredited agent can help you evaluate which serves your specific situation.