Can I get help starting my own business through the VR&E Self-Employment track?
You may be eligible for these benefits if you’re a service member or Veteran with a service-connected disability, and you meet all of the requireme...
What kind of benefits can I get through the VR&E Self-Employment track?
Coordination services and help with developing a proposed business plan Analysis of your business concept Training in small-business operations, ma...
How do I get these benefits?
First, you’ll need to apply for VR&E benefits. Then, you’ll work with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). If you’ve received your VA di...
What does a voc rehab program pay for?
This includes stock materials, inventory, items for day-to-day operation and machinery. The program will also pay for licensing fees and general business training.
How long does Voc Rehab last?
The program is set to last 18 months. This means that you will need to convince the Voc Rehab counselor and his boss that you will be profitable in 18 months.
How much does a VRO need to approve a veteran?
First, the regs say the program can approve up to $25,000 at the local level. This means your Vocational Rehabilitation Officer (VRO) will need to approve you. The VRO is the person who is in charge of the regional Voc Rehab office. For amounts greater than $25,000, the counselor will need to seek approval from the Director, basically the VRO’s boss. They hate doing that, but some veterans get it done. I personally know of one veteran in the Portland, Oregon, area who received $100,000.
What is a business plan option?
“ This option is designed for individuals who have limited access to traditional employment, need flexible work schedules, or need a more accommodating work environment due to their disabling conditions or other life circumstances. Services under this option may include analysis of the viability of a business concept, development of a business plan, training in the operation of a small business, marketing and financial assistance, and guidance on obtaining adequate resources to implement the plan. ”
What is Chapter 31?
Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) is such a dreamy program with little information online for veterans to actually read. I think most guides and websites give qualified veterans roughly 2 pages of information. If this seems reasonable to you, rest assured that there is more to the story than what they tell you upfront.
What is VA Voc Rehab?
VA Voc Rehab will provide long-term training services for veterans and servicemembers who require additional skills or training to find competitive, suitable employment. The vast majority of veterans using the program receive benefits through Track 4 for training to help them qualify for suitable employment.
What is vocational rehabilitation counseling?
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors are pushing back more than ever against veterans achieving vocational goals that require graduate or professional training than in the past. Veterans seeking professional careers need to be prepared for pushback from their counselor.
Can veterans get independent living?
Some veterans and servicemembers are unable to currently return to work but may benefit from VA Voc Rehab assistance to become more independent in their daily living. These veterans may qualify for Independent Living services.
What is self employment in VR?
The self-employment process is one that can be quite lengthy and requires a team effort between the consumer, the VR counselor, and outside consultants. Each member of the team has certain responsibilities with consumer commitment and involvement key ingredients in this process. The self-employment process used by DVR is designed to ensure that those who complete the process have an excellent chance to launch a successful business. To ensure that we have done all we can to help the person succeed, DVR requires the successful completion of each activity or step before proceeding.
How many people in Vermont are self employed?
Using data from the most recent United States Census, it is estimated that 14% of Vermonters are self-employed. People with disabilities are, according to Census data, more likely to be self-employed than their non-disabled peers. Self-employment is an employment option that a good portion of our vocational rehabilitation (VR) consumers want to explore. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) will be supportive but realistic about self-employment options. Starting a small business can be difficult and successful consumers will be those with a certain set of skills, personality traits, and an active support network.
What is a VR counselor?
The VR counselor will provide support and assistance, but the majority of the work that needs to be done, from research to writing a business plan, will be the responsibility of the consumer. VR counselors need to be upfront about their knowledge, or lack of knowledge, about developing and evaluating self-employment ideas. As needed, counselors will seek and use the expertise of other staff and consultants.
What is attachment C?
Attachment C will provide a complete picture of the consumer’s financial status to help determine the financial contribution they can personally make to the business. The responses should be reviewed and discussed with the counselor to make sure all questions have been answered accurately and that there is agreement between the counselor and the consumer about expenses and resources impacting on self-employment.
What is a DVR for small business?
DVR will work with the consumer to help search out potential resources and may provide up to $2,500 to help leverage funds, pay for tools, inventory supplies, etc. for businesses expected to lead to self-sufficiency. (DVR can provide up to $1,500 for business ventures intended to supplement other income but not lead to self-sufficiency.) In limited situations, these funding levels may be waived with the approval of the DVR regional manager or director.
What is the process by which it is determined that the individual has the skills, attributes, and resources to be a
“Assessment” is the process by which it is determined that the individual has the skills, attributes, and resources to be a business owner and the business idea is evaluated to see if it is reasonable.
What to do if your counselor doesn't hear from you?
When a counselor does not hear from you, then you leave room for doubts/questions. Keep your counselor in the loop via email, voicemail, or otherwise. Be sure you let your counselor know that you take self-employment seriously, and that you are working actively and consistently to make it a successful outcome for you and of course for the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Should people with disabilities rely on one person?
First off, let us begin by saying that people with disabilities and parents/loved ones should not rely on just one person to provide accurate and timely information. That is not to say others purposefully lie or withhold information. Instead, we have found there is just an abundance of information to know, and it makes it impossible for any one individual to keep abreast of everything.
What to do if self employment is not viable?
If self-employment does not seem viable upon submission of the business plan, the VRC should give the Veteran the option to redevelop the business plan. The VRC may also consider alternative rehabilitation options, such as traditional employment, if revision will not result in approval. The case should be left in RTE status while developing a suitable goal. Once the final vocational goal is determined, then the VRC and the Veteran will develop and sign a new IWRP. The DOT code should be converted from 999 to the specific identified DOT code.
How does the VRC work?
The VRC must work closely with the Veteran to foster an open line of communication to ensure that the evaluation process is successful. It is imperative that the VRC have a clear understanding of the Veteran’s motivation, functional ability and interest, as self-employment is one of the most demanding tracks to employment. It is much more challenging than simply obtaining and maintaining employment in a traditional setting. It is the responsibility of the VRC to help the Veteran make an informed decision regarding this track to employment.
What is fast track planning?
Fast Track planning may be used for Veterans when self-employment is the primary focus of further rehabilitation planning to determine if self-employment is appropriate for a Veteran. Fast Track planning allows for the identification of a specific vocational goal to be deferred by allowing the use of Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) Code 999 in the Individual Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP). It is called “Fast Track” planning because the movement from Evaluation and Planning (EP) Status to Rehabilitated To the point of Employability (RTE) status is accelerated by allowing vocational exploration and planning activities, historically completed during EP status, to be completed in RTE status. As a result, the Veteran can begin services earlier in the rehabilitation process. When using Fast Track planning, the development of a viable business plan will be accomplished in RTE status under a Fast Track IWRP.
What is a VRC business plan?
The VRC coordinates services and helps the Veteran develop a proposed business plan. For existing businesses, the business plan must address barriers that existed to make the business unsuitable. The Veteran is responsible for developing the written business plan for VR&E’s consideration, which means he/she will be doing most of the work involved. This is important because it will be the Veteran’s business and the Veteran must be the primary investor in the development of the business. The VRC will ensure that the Veteran works with a professional business consultant, either on a voluntary or contractual basis, as a guide in this process and must provide a list of the information needed to conduct a thorough viability analysis of the business plan to the Veteran in advance of his/her meeting with a business consultant (refer to 9.07.b.1 of this chapter). This will ensure that all questions are addressed initially, reducing the likelihood that the Veteran will propose an incomplete business plan. The business consultant may:
What is a VRC?
The summation should clearly identify the viability of the business plan and rehabilitation services needed . The VRC must:
What is a preliminary self employment evaluation?
A preliminary self-employment evaluation assesses the Veteran’s needs, potential, suitability and readiness to start a business . The evaluation will also identify and address all issues or barriers to the successful pursuit of a self- employment plan. This evaluation is completed during the evaluation and planning phase of service delivery as outlined in 38 CFR 21.184.
How often do veterans get their credit report?
The Veteran must be notified that under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, a free credit report can be obtained once every 12 months from the following 3 major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. (More information can be found at www.AnnualCreditReport.com.) Since free credit reports provided by credit reporting agencies do not include credit scores, these agencies charge a fee for providing this information, which may be reimbursed to the Veteran following direct reimbursement guidance located in