Veteran Readiness and Employment — VR&E (Chapter 31)

What this actually is

For service members and veterans with service-connected disabilities: help to explore employment options and meet education or training needs. It runs on five tracks — reemployment, rapid access to employment, self-employment, long-term services, and independent living for those for whom work is not currently a realistic goal. It is worth comparing against the GI Bill rather than assuming the GI Bill is the better deal, because Chapter 31 is built around an employment plan and can cover training, equipment and support the GI Bill does not, and it does not consume your Chapter 33 entitlement in the same way. Talk to a VR&E counsellor before choosing.

Who qualifies, and what trips people up

For service members and veterans with service-connected disabilities affecting employment; apply through VA.gov, or through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System if you are still on active duty wounded, injured or ill. A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor determines entitlement and builds the plan with you — the plan is the programme, so what it says is what gets funded.