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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

64.123:  Vocational Training for Certain Veterans Receiving VA Pension

Popular Name: 

Objectives:  To assist new pension recipients to resume and maintain gainful employment by providing vocational training and other services.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

64.123 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Veterans who are awarded a VA pension before January 1, 1996, who are in receipt of VA pension at the time they apply for vocational training, and for whom VA determines the achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible. Applications cannot generally be processed if VA received them after January 1,1996.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Veterans who are awarded a VA pension before January 1, 1996, who are in receipt of VA pension at the time they apply for vocational training, and for whom VA determines the achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible. Veterans may request an evaluation to determine reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal. No application can be processed if VA received it on or after December 31, 1995.

Credentials/Documentation:  None.

64.123 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  An application (VA Form 28-8966) may be obtained from any VA office and returned to the regional office.

Award Procedure:  Awards are authorized at the regional office for direct distribution to the beneficiaries.

Deadlines:  Generally, a veteran must have begun a program of vocational training and employment assistance between February 1, 1985, and December 31, 1995, the official period of this temporary program. No veteran may begin training on or after August 1, 1996, unless a rehabilitation plan was prepared and signed prior to that date.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Average is 100 days.

Appeals:  Available through special board. In the event of a denial of benefits, claimants are advised of their appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification of the denial. Average time for VA to process an appeal is 630 days.

Renewals:  None.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Direct payment for specified use: payments are made directly to the providers of goods and services for program participants; payments include tuition, fees, books, supplies, tutoring, professional services, and medical care if not available in a VA facility.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Not applicable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Actual costs of books, supplies, tuition and fees (does not include pension allowance).

64.123 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 27.002 Federal Employment Assistance for Veterans;
• 53.001 Employment Promotion of People with Disabilities;
• 64.013 Veterans Prosthetic Appliances;
• 84.126 Rehabilitation Services: Vocational Rehabilitation Grants to States.

64.123 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

64.123 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Type of Assistance:  Direct Payments for Specified Use; Advisory Services and Counseling.

Obligations:  (Direct Payments) FY 99 $37,000; FY 00 est $20,000; and FY 01 est $15,000.

Budget Account Number:  36-0154-0-1-701.

Authorization:  Public Laws 98-543, 100-687, 102-83, 102-291, 102-568, 38 U.S.C. 1524.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Not published or final; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-99-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00217-2.

64.123 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  See Appendix IV of Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.

Headquarters Office:  Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling Service (28), Washington, DC 20420. Phone: (202) 273-7419.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

64.123 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Not applicable.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  The program provides for direct payment to service providers for the entire cost of tuition, books, fees, supplies, and other services. Counseling services are provided to the individual throughout participation in the program. The training phase of the program usually may not exceed 24 months and may not generally begin after January 1, 1996. The 24-month period may be extended to allow completion of the prescribed program under certain conditions. Following training, or instead of training, the veteran may be provided up to 18 months of employment assistance. Veterans who meet certain eligibility requirements may be provided an initial supply of goods and commodities to start a business. Earnings while in a vocational training program do count as income for pension, and may affect the amount received. However, a pensioner's eligibility for health care is protected for 3 years following loss of pension benefits because of income from work or training.

64.123 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  The veteran's progress is monitored throughout the training program to assure that goals and objectives of the veteran's rehabilitation plan are carried out. The plan extends throughout the veteran's training program to include, when applicable, the securing of and adjusting to employment.

Audits:  None.

Records:  None.