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The VFW's Capitol Hill blog was recently disabled because of a system-wide problem with Google. In the meantime, we created a temporary blog where veterans and advocates can learn about the VFW's ongoing work on Capitol Hill. The issue has since been resolved. You can once again visit the VFW's Capitol Hill blog at: http://thevfw.blogspot.com

Friday, April 20, 2012

VA Introduces VOW to Hire Heroes Act Web Site

The VA today launched a new Web site, highlighting the latest programs implemented through last year's VOW to Hire Heroes Act, the comprehensive veterans' employment bill that VFW helped sign into law.

The new site, benefits.va.gov/VOW,  focuses on four specific improvements to VA programs designed to help veterans find quality careers or hone the skills necessary to compete in a cut-throat civilian job market. Each section describes new programs in detail, offering specific eligibility information and policy changes that will allow veterans to more easily access available employment and job training resources.

Two of the most significant programs are the extension of additional G.I. Bill-style education benefits for unemployed veterans between the ages of 35-60 through the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program, or VRAP, and the extension of additional Vocational Rehabilitation benefits for unemployed disabled veterans.

Unemployed veterans who qualify for VRAP will be offered an additional 12 months of education benefits to help develop new job skills. Program enrollment is limited to 45,000 veterans during fiscal year 2012, and to 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014.

Department of Labor and VA will begin to accept applications for VRAP starting on May 12, 2012. Your VFW will keep you posted with details on how to apply.

Unemployed disabled veterans who have already completed Vocational Rehabilitation will also be eligible for an additional year of Voc Rehab benefits starting June 1, 2012, and VA is already accepting applications to participate in the new program.

The VFW has made veterans' employment a top priority for the last few years and scored a major victory for veterans with last year's passage of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act. With this in mind, we encourage all eligible veterans to learn about the new programs included in the law and take full advantage of the benefits and programs you have earned.

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at 5:20 AM
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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 21, 2012 at 4:36 PM

    I know here in Batavia NY our cook isnt a veteran and he just got charged with a Felony for illegal gambling. While I know of a veteran who lives under a bridge and never had a parking ticket.So I really will believe this isnt just feel good legislation when I see it on mainstreet with my own two eyes.

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  2. John La RochelleApril 25, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    Anyone knowing a veteran that is living under a bridge and doesn't attempt to help him seek suitable shelter will probably never be able to see the good that the VFW does in supporting this legislation.

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  3. AnonymousMay 10, 2012 at 7:38 AM

    I dont think anyone who is sitting in front of a computer knows how difficult it is to come out from underneath a bridge into something like this. it ALWAYS requires that person to go into a completely undesirable situation to even get started. I.E. shelter loaded with con men, drug addicted swindlers, violent preditors etc. not to mention the hoops to jump through to get in. I know first hand! I was hit with a steel pipe cracked my skull in three places, knocked out all my teeth, on and on. I have been under a roof since then, in a hospital, FOR TWO YEARS! I

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