REMINDER: VR&E COLA Increase Went Into Effect on Oct. 1

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Seal of the US Department of Veterans Affairs
 

Greetings Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program participant,

The VR&E program would like to remind you that a 1.43 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to VR&E Veterans’ subsistence allowance rates went into effect on October 1, 2020. The subsistence allowance is a monthly benefit and is based on the rate of attendance in a training program (full time, three quarter time, or half time), the number of dependents, and the type of training. The new VR&E subsistence allowance rates are effective October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.

What does this mean for you?

If you are pursuing an educational or training program, you will receive an increase in your subsistence allowance rate. Since the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays subsistence allowance for training that has been completed in the previous month, the first payment at these rates will be reflected in the November 1, 2020 subsistence allowance payment/disbursement.

Do I need to do anything?

No, your VR&E subsistence allowance will automatically adjust with the new COLA rate within VA’s electronic subsistence allowance system effective October 1, 2020.

The new Post 9/11 subsistence allowance rates, for eligible Veterans who elected these rates, will be available later this year.

What are the new VR&E rates?

VR&E Subsistence Allowance Rate Increase as of October 1, 2020 is based upon a 1.43% Consumer Price Index (CPI) Increase. 

Type of Training

Training Time

No Dependents

One Dependent

Two Dependents

Each Additional Dependent

Institutional; Nonpay or nominal pay work experience in a facility of a Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe agency; Improvement of Rehabilitation Potential:

Full-Time

$653.96

$811.18

$955.92

$69.66

¾ Time

$491.38

$609.27

$714.69

$53.59

½ Time

$328.78

$407.36

$478.83

$35.74

¼ Time1

$164.37

$203.71

$239.42

$17.83

Nonpay or nominal pay on-job training in a facility of a Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe agency; Training in the home; Vocational course in a rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop; Independent instructor:

Full-Time Only

$653.96

$811.18

$955.92

$69.66

Farm Cooperative, Apprenticeship or other On-Job Training2:

 

Full-Time Only

$571.77

$691.45

$796.88

$51.82

Combination of Institutional and On-Job Training (Institutional Greater than ½);

Non-farm Cooperative Institutional Training and Non-farm Cooperative On-Job Training (FT Non-Farm Coop/Institutional):

 

Full-Time Only

$653.96

$811.18

$955.92

$69.66

Combination of Institutional and On-Job Training (On-the-Job Greater than ½); Non-farm Cooperative Institutional Training and Non-farm Cooperative On-Job Training (FT Non-Farm Coop/On-the-Job):

Full-Time Only

$571.77

$691.45

$796.88

$51.82

[1] The quarter-time rate may be paid only during Extended Evaluation. 

[2] For On-Job Training, training wage plus subsistence allowance cannot exceed the journeyman wage.

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact your VR&E counselor at your local VA Regional Office (RO). You can find your closest VA RO here: www.benefits.va.gov, or call 1-800-827-1000.

A grateful Nation thanks you for your service!

Respectfully,

VR&E Service