VA Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Self-Employment Track
VA-funded self-employment assistance for service-disabled veterans including business plan development, startup equipment, and initial inventory.
About this program
The VA's Veteran Readiness & Employment program (VR&E, Chapter 31) Self-Employment Track helps service-disabled veterans start or expand a small business when traditional employment is not feasible due to a service-connected disability. Benefits can include business plan development, startup supplies and equipment, initial inventory, training, marketing materials, and ongoing rehabilitation counseling. A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) works one-on-one with the veteran to develop a self-employment plan. The benefit period is generally 12 years from VA disability notification (no time limit for veterans discharged on or after January 1, 2013).
Eligibility
Veterans with VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or more, honorable or other-than-dishonorable discharge, and a determined employment handicap; for the Self-Employment Track, traditional employment must not be feasible due to disability.
Requirements
- VA service-connected disability rating of 10%+
- Honorable or other-than-dishonorable discharge
- Documented employment handicap