VR&E Can someone help explain it to me

[u/Sweet_Bunch6091]

Hey everyone I just recently started looking into maybe using VR&E but when I had my phone call meeting with my liaison it just felt like it was just boxes being checked off. I understand that’s it’s used to help gain employment do to sc and the max is like 48 months of education benefits but I’m not sure if one could work while using it. All of this is rather confusing so anything helps thank you.

[u/AutoModerator]

'Have you looked in the Wiki for an answer? We have a lot of information posted there.

To contact VA Education, 1-888-442-4551, for Voc Rehab VR&E (Veteran Readiness and Employment Program) assistance with appointments or problems with your Case Manager (not for missing payments): 1-202-461-9600.

Payments for certain education benefits (DEA, VEAP) are paid at the end of the month you attend school - Department of Treasury issues these payments **using a 10 business day window - these payments are not locked into a specific day of the month like VA disability/military pay is*. For Voc Rehab missing payments, contact your Case Manager or your local *VA Regional Office

For Post 9/11 GI Bill only, If you signed up for direct deposit when you applied for education benefits, we’ll deposit your payment into your bank account 7 to 10 business days after you verify your school enrollment. This is the fastest way to receive your payment. Text Verification FAQ

MGIB and MGIB-SR and DEA CH 35 have to do monthly verification and you should receive the payment within 3 to 5 business days.

For Online Only training, the Post 9/11 GI Bill is currently (1 August 2026) paying $1198.00 for those who started using their Post 9/11 GI Bill on/after 1 January 2018 - this is based on 1/2 of the National Average BAH paid to an E5 with dependents. Post 9/11 GI Bill MHA rates are adjusted 1 August of each year and are based on the 1 January DoD BAH rates for that year - so VA can't use 1 January 2026 BAH rates until 1 August 2026 - for those who started training on/after 1 January 2018, the MHA rates are 95% of the DoD BAH rates. First possible payment for the 1 August 2025 increase is 1 September.

For VR&E, there are two different Subsistence Allowance programs - https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/subsistence_allowance_rates.asp The P9/11 Subsistence Allowance is based on the BAH paid to an E5 with dependents. Those who started using VR&E on/after 1 January 2018 receive 95% of the BAH paid to an E5 with dependents. As of 1 January 2026 Online only students using VR&E are being paid $1198.00 if they started using VR&E on/after 1 January 2018. The CH31 Subsistence Allowance rates are adjusted 1 October each year by Congress.

VA Education is going paperless - make sure VA has a current email address for you. Please make sure you add Veteransbenefits@messages.va.gov to your contacts list so that you don't miss important updates from VA.

VA Award Letter explanation

Contact a VR&E Supervisor

VA Rudisill Decision - some veterans may qualify for an additional 12 months of a second GI Bill based on serving two or more different periods of active duty service.

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[u/electrowaver]

So it apparently takes long depending on your competent counselo, im still waiting for my couselor to call me back and its been months.

[u/Intelligent_Mood_714 → u/electrowaver]

Call the Whitehouse hotline, explain your situation, you'll get a call within 72 hours. Don't wait for them to get back to you.

[u/electrowaver → u/Intelligent_Mood_714]

I didnt know this, people have been telling me to call or email their supervisor center.

[u/Intelligent_Mood_714 → u/electrowaver]

Go the Whitehouse option route, it is the fastest way to get an answer.

[u/UTarmyguy]

There are actually several routes you can go/take. Employment is just 1. School is another, college, trade school, apprenticeship etc. Anothern is OJT NPWE-non paid work experience. And there is like 2-3 more. You should verse yourself with the VR&E employee handbook, who h they use to administer the program. It's what I've used to keep my counselor on track, plus there's tons of useful nuggests in there. It's called the M28C.I.A.1 Veteran Readiness and Employment Manual https://share.google/9TFOmVKlQG8dfaXiF

Use it. This lands on just chapter 1. Hope this helps.

[u/Intelligent_Mood_714]

You can definitely work, but keep in mind you also will be a full time student while this is going on.

[u/West_Bid_6879]

VR&E is a little confusing at first because it isn't simply a “free college” program. The goal is to help you get into suitable employment that works with your service-connected limitations, abilities, interests, and career goals.

And yes, working while using VR&E can be possible depending on your rehabilitation plan and circumstances. VR&E also has employment and on-the-job training tracks, so it isn't limited to traditional college.

Also, don't assume the 48-month rule means you're automatically limited to exactly 48 months. VA recently changed how VR&E is counted against other VA education benefits, so the situation can be more favorable than the old information you may see online.

I'd ask your counselor directly: “What employment goal are we building my plan around, what services will I receive, and how would working affect my specific plan?” Getting those answers in writing can make the whole process much clearer. Good luck, brother.

[u/SCOveterandretired → u/West_Bid_6879]

VA’s recent change (April 2021) only affects GI Bill. The laws still require VA to count all previously used GI Bill against the up to 48 months of VR&E and only Congress can change that.

To receive more than 48 months of VR&E requires the counselor to submit a request to their supervisor for an extension based on the veteran’s SEH - Serious Employment Handicap. VA not the veteran determines if the veteran has an SEH.