VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS

How to apply for military benefits? Go to https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/?postLogin=true

VA School Code: 25000003

If you served on Active Duty, you might be eligible for education benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. For example, the Post-9/11 GI-Bill® provides financial support for educational and housing expenses to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI-Bill®. If you are a spouse or child of a service member, you may be eligible for a transfer of the service members’ Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to you.

“GI Bill®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”

Eligibility for Veteran Readiness and Employment

Learn about eligibility requirements for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)—formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. If you’re a service member or Veteran and have a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service and that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, you may be able to get employment support or services to help you live as independently as possible.

To see if you qualify for VR&E go to https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/apply-vre-form-28-1900/start

If I’m a Veteran, am I eligible for Veteran Readiness and Employment?

You’re eligible to apply for VR&E benefits and services if you meet both of these requirements: 

All of these must be true:

• You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
• You have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA

When we receive your VR&E application, we’ll schedule your initial evaluation with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). The VRC will determine if you’re entitled to receive VR&E benefits and services.  

If you were discharged from active duty before January 1, 2013, your basic period of eligibility ends 12 years from one of these dates, whichever comes later:

• The date you received notice of your date of separation from active duty, or
• The date you received your first VA service-connected disability rating

The basic period of eligibility may be extended if a VRC finds that you have a serious employment handicap (SEH). Having an SEH means your service-connected disability significantly limits your ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that doesn’t make your disability worse; is stable; and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests).

If you were discharged from active duty on or after January 1, 2013, the 12-year basic period of eligibility doesn’t apply to you. There’s no time limit on your eligibility.

If I’m still on active duty, am I eligible for Veteran Readiness and Employment?

You may be eligible for VR&E benefits and services if you’re a service member and you meet at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these must be true:

• You have a 20% or higher pre-discharge disability rating (memorandum rating) and will soon leave the military, or
• You’re waiting to be discharged because of a severe illness or injury that occurred while you were on active duty 

Learn more about accessing VR&E services through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)

Note: Severely injured active-duty service members can automatically receive VR&E benefits before VA issues a disability rating. This is according to Sec. 1631(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act (PL 110-181).

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)

Are you the spouse of an active duty member of the Department of Defense or activated member of the National Guard or Reserves? If so, the Department of Defense’s expanded Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program will provide up to $4,000.00 of financial assistance for spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to employment in a portable career field.

Program Sponsor: Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy (DUSD/MC&FP)

Program Description: The Department of Defense’s expanded Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program will provide up to $4,000.00 of Financial Assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to employment in portable career fields.

Who Is Eligible: Spouses of Active Duty members of the Department of Defense and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve Components are eligible. The period of eligibility for spouses of Guard and Reserve members is from the date of the Alert or Warning Order for Military Recall or Mobilization, through activation and deployment until 180 days following De-Mobilization. Spouses of the severely injured, ill, wounded or killed in action are also eligible.

What MyCAA Pays For: MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) pays for expenses such as education and training programs, tuition, licensing and credentialing fees. This includes degree programs (e.g. associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral and post doctoral), continuing education classes (including those offered through professional associations), Bar, CPA and other similar exams, state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and other licensed professionals. MyCAA does not pay for computers, school application fees, graduation or membership fees, student activity cards, child care, parking, transportation, or medical services. NOTE: If the cost of a course includes books, supplies or other necessary equipment, MyCAA will cover that cost. Payments are made directly to schools using the MyCAA’s electronic payment system. Referrals are made to federally funded English As A Second Language (ESL) Classes and GED Classes and Testing Programs.

How MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) Works: A military spouse can apply for MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) after completing a MyCAA Career and Training Plan.

• A Career and Training Plan includes the spouse’s chosen career field, name of school and course information (course titles, codes, costs and start/end dates). If incorrect information is provided, the MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) Request will be rejected during the school invoicing process. The spouse will then be responsible for paying course costs.
• FA Requests are initiated each time the spouse adds specific course start/end dates when it is time to enroll in one or more courses included in the spouse’s Career and Training Plan.
  • It is critical that spouses select the correct school name/campus location and input correct course information into their Career and Training Plan to prevent billing problems. This information should be validated by school officials prior to the spouse applying for MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA).
  • Career and Training Plans may be edited (e.g. courses may be changed or dropped) up to ten days prior to the start date of a course. At that point, the Plan will be approved and locked for billing purposes to guarantee the spouse a seat in the class. Courses may be added up until 7 days past course start dates.
  • Data in the Career and Training Plan is used to validate school bills for payment purposes. Approved courses may be billed by the school at or below stated costs. Schools may charge penalty fees, partial or full course costs for dropped courses according to their published Drop/Add policies. Spouses need to be familiar with these school policies.

How to Get Started: Eligible spouses can establish a MyCAA Account by calling 1-800-342-9647. Setting up an account is an easy, self-help process. Once spouse profile information is provided, MyCAA will verify spouse eligibility. Spouses should check their eligibility and account status regularly as well as their MyCAA account message board for alerts from their account managers and guidance on next steps.

Who Can Help Spouses?

Military spouses can help themselves by:

• By calling 1-800-342-9647 and establishing an account.
• Developing a Career and Training Plan and validating information with school officials prior to submitting a Financial Assistance (FA) Request to prevent billing problems.
• Email MyCAA@InvernessTechnologies.com for MyCAA website technical support.