Do you want to learn how Vocational Rehab can help you? As well as how much money you can get for Vocational Rehabilitation?
I don’t know about you, but I want to know exactly what Vocational Rehab is, and how it can help improve my life. I’d also appreciate the knowledge on how to qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation programs and how much money I am eligible for.
Get this: We’ve made it easier for you, by doing the research ourselves. In this article, all of your questions related to Vocational Rehab will be answered. Including ways VR can help you and your family. Read on to see the VA Disability rate charts for 2018!
What is Vocational Rehab?
Definition of Vocational Rehab (Vocational Rehabilitation or VR): Vocational rehabilitation programs are run by the state and funded federally. These programs offer those with a mental or physical disability the help they need to become independent and go back to working again.
How Can Vocational Rehab Help Me?
By law, state agencies are required to offer at least the following services (many states offer more, this is the bare-minimum):
- A personal, one-on-one evaluation of an individual’s disability(ies) to verify eligibility and to determine how VR can be of assistance
- Counseling is offered for the following: job assistance, certified guidance as well as referral services.
- Both mental and physical rehabilitation services
- Job (vocational) training, including on-the-job preparation training
- Some financial assistance may be offered while the individual is receiving vocational rehab services
- Transportation assistance is provided
- For those who are deaf, an interpreter will be provided
- For those who are blind, reader services will be provided
- Aid in transitioning from school to work (for students)
- Selective personal assistance services offered
- Up-to-date rehabilitation technology equipment and services available
- Support in employment services, including help finding a job
Do I qualify for Vocational Rehab (VA)? How to qualify for Vocational Rehab (VA) services:
In order to qualify for federally funded vocational rehabilitation, the following must apply:
- You must suffer from a mental or physical condition which impairs your ability to work.
- If the first requirement applies to you, the next requirement is whether you will benefit from VR services and be able to get a job afterward.
Are you currently receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Or, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)? If so, you are automatically eligible for Vocational Rehab. As long as your disability will not interfere with your ability to benefit from VR.
Looking to apply for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services?
If you are considering taking advantage of Vocational Rehab services, you must get in contact with the VR agency within your state. Keep in mind, in some states the department of VR falls under the Department of Education. In other states, the department of VR is listed under the Health and Human Services Agency. Your local Social Security office can assist in helping you find the closest Vocational Rehab office in your state.
For a full state-by-state list of Vocational Rehab agencies, click here.
Looking to go back to school?
For those individuals who would like to go back to school, VR agencies may provide a scholarship to the university or college you’ve attended. However, is it important to keep in mind that if you accept a VR scholarship, you will be required to work for a public rehabilitation agency for a period of 2 years, for each 1 year of full-time scholarship money you are given.
Another point often overlooked, you are limited to which programs you can take when on a VR scholarship. Here is a list of programs you may take, should you choose to use a VR scholarship to go to school:
- Rehabilitation Counseling (master’s and doctoral programs)
- Rehabilitation Administration
- Rehabilitation Technology
- Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment
- Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Mentally Ill
- Rehabilitation Psychology
- Undergraduate Education in Rehabilitation Services
- Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Vision Impairments
- Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and
- Rehabilitation Job Development and Job Placement.
For more information, or to apply for Vocational Rehab scholarships, contact your school’s financial aid department.
How much money do you get for Vocational Rehab?
The allowance you are given during Vocational Rehabilitation varies depending on many factors. These include, but are not limited to, how many dependents you have, and whether or not you are looking to get a job or go back to school.
Below, we’ve included charts for 2018 Vocational Rehab rates, to give you an idea:
2018 VA Disability Rates
VA Disability Rating: 10% – 20% (No Dependents)
| Percentage | Rate |
| 10% | $136.24 |
| 20% | $269.30 |
VA Disability Rating: 30% – 60% Without Children
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
| Veteran Alone | $417.15 | $600.90 | $855.41 | $1,083.52 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $466.15 | $666.90 | $937.41 | $1,182.52 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $505.15 | $719.90 | $1,003.41 | $1,261.52 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $544.15 | $772.90 | $1,069.41 | $1,340.52 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $456.15 | $653.90 | $921.41 | $1,162.52 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $495.15 | $706.90 | $987.41 | $1,241.52 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $46.00 | $61.00* | $76.00 | $91.00 |
VA Disability Rating: 70% – 100% Without Children
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran Alone | $1,365.48 | $1,587.25 | $1,783.68 | $2,973.86 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $1,481.48 | $1,719.25 | $1,932.68 | $3,139.67 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $1,574.48 | $1,825.25 | $2,051.68 | $3,272.73 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $1,667.48 | $1,931.25 | $2,170.68 | $3,405.79 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $1,458.48 | $1,693.25 | $1,902.68 | $3,106.92 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $1,551.48 | $1,799.25 | $2,021.68 | $3,239.98 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $106.00 | $122.00 | $137.00 | $152.06 |
VA Disability Rating: 30% – 60% With Children
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
| Veteran with Spouse & Child | $503.15 | $714.90 | $998.41 | $1,255.52 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $450.15 | $644.90 | $910.41 | $1,149.52 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $542.15 | $767.90 | $1,064.41 | $1,334.52 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $581.15 | $820.90 | $1,130.41 | $1,413.52 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $489.15 | $697.90 | $976.41 | $1,228.52 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $528.15 | $750.90 | $1,042.41 | $1,307.52 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $24.00 | $32.00 | $41.00 | $49.00 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) | $79.00 | $106.00 | $133.00 | $159.00 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $46.00 | $61.00 | $76.00 | $91.00 |
VA Disability Rating: 70% – 100% With Children
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran with Spouse & Child | $1,566.48 | $1,816.25 | $2041.68 | $3,261.10 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $1,442.48 | $1,675.25 | $1,882.68 | $3,084.75 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $1,659.48 | $1,922.25 | $2,160.68 | $3,394.16 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $1,752.48 | $2,028.25 | $2,279.68 | $3,527.22 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $1,535.48 | $1,781.25 | $2,001.68 | $3,217.81 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $1,628.48 | $1,887.25 | $2,120.68 | $3,350.87 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $57.00 | $65.00 | $74.00 | $82.38 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) | $186.00 | $212.00 | $239.00 | $266.13 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $106.00 | $122.00 | $137.00 | $152.06 |