Veteran Readiness and Employment, commonly called VR&E or Chapter 31, is a VA program separate from the GI Bill that is designed to help veterans with a service-connected disability that creates an employment handicap prepare for, find, and keep suitable employment. To be considered, you generally need at least a 10 percent service-connected rating and an employment handicap determination, or a 20 percent rating in some cases, along with entitlement determined by a VA counselor.
The process starts with submitting VA Form 28-1900, Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation, either online through VA.gov or at a regional office. After you apply, you are scheduled for an initial evaluation with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). That counselor reviews your disabilities, work history, interests, and aptitude to determine whether you have an employment handicap and, if so, works with you to develop an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP). This plan lays out your vocational goal, the training or education needed to reach it, and the services VA will provide.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →When a plan is approved and you are found eligible for a training program such as a college degree, VR&E can pay for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment tied to that approved plan, and it also provides a monthly subsistence allowance, sometimes referred to informally as MHA, which is paid at a rate comparable to the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance depending on your rate of pursuit and dependents. Payment amounts and specifics of what is covered depend on the individual plan approved by the counselor, so outcomes do vary from case to case based on the program, school, and personal circumstances.
Many veterans do successfully complete the full pipeline: application, evaluation, plan approval, enrollment, and receiving both tuition payment and a monthly subsistence check throughout their program, though the experience can differ based on the assigned counselor, the complexity of the vocational goal, and how promptly paperwork is processed at the regional office and school certifying official level.
If you are considering VR&E, the concrete next step is to submit VA Form 28-1900 through VA.gov or your nearest VA regional office and request an initial evaluation appointment with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to discuss your specific goals and eligibility.
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