How Does the Veterans Administration Independent Living Program Work?

The United States Department of Veteran Affairs administers benefit programs to millions of military veterans.

As of September 2010, there were 22.7 million veterans living in the United States. Approximately 10.4 million of these veterans are working, and 5.5 million veterans are living with disabilities. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers benefit programs to these veterans. In light of the VA's mission "to provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned," they offer a program to assist veterans in living as independently as possible.

Purpose

The VA aims to assist veterans who need help in living independently and returning to the workforce.

Of the many benefit programs the VA administers, the Independent Living Program is one that ensures that qualifying veterans are living as independently as possible. The program aims to have veterans participating in family and community events with the hope that they will be able to return to work. 2500 veterans a year are allowed to participate in this 2-month long program, although it can be extended to last as long as 28 months.

Qualifications

To be eligible for the Independent Living Program, the veteran must be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services. The veterans can expect to receive an honorable discharge after completing their service, obtaining a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the VA and applying for services. If these three qualifications are met, a veteran must still demonstrate a service connected disability that inhibits his ability to pursue employment. The VA describes a "service connected disability" as a condition that was "aggravated by an injury or illness while the veteran was serving on active military duty."

Application

A veteran applying for the Independent Living Program will need to fill out a VA form as well as meet with a VA counselor.

Those veterans who meet the qualifications for the Independent Living Program may apply for the program by submitting the VA Form 28-1900 for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services. The veteran will then meet with a counselor from that department to have the circumstances evaluated. The evaluating counselor must determine whether employment for the veteran is a feasible goal and whether an Independent Living Program is necessary.

Independent Living Program Development and Services

Once it is determined that an Independent Living Program is necessary, the veteran and the VA counselor will work together to evaluate the veteran's needs. The VA counselor will develop an individualized program that will address these needs. The Program's goal is to facilitate the veteran's participation in family and community events, to complete daily tasks, and return the veteran to sustainable employment or volunteer opportunities. The veteran may be referred to programs that may improve his job search skills or provide rehabilitation services.

References

• National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics; Veteran Population Projections FY2000 to FY 2036; 2010
• United States Census Bureau: Veteran Information
• United States Department of Veteran's Affairs: Program Definitions
• United States Department of Veteran's Affairs: About VA
• United States Department of Veteran's Affairs: Independent Living Program

Resources

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: VetSuccess