WASHINGTON, DC., (KNOE 8 News) - Under a just-started program, unemployed Veterans between the ages of 35 and 60 can now apply for new benefits to cover education costs for up to one year through a joint Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor (DOL) program that focuses on retraining 99,000 Veterans for high-demand jobs.
As part of a provision of the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, the Veteran Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) allows qualifying Veterans to receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the full-time Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty rate, currently $1,473 per month.
Veterans can apply on a first-come, first-serve basis for VRAP for programs that begin on or after July 1, 2012. Assistance under this benefit program ends on March 31, 2014.
To complete an application, a Veteran will need to know his/her direct deposit information (bank routing number and account number), the name and location of his or her school, the program the Veteran wishes to pursue, and the applicable high-demand occupation.
To qualify Veterans must:
Be 35-60 years old, unemployed on the day of application, and not dishonorably discharged;
Start education or training after July 1, 2012, in a VA-approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school leading to an associate degree, non-college degree or a certificate for a high-demand occupation as defined by the DOL;
Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g. Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment);
Not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program within the last 180 days;
Not receive VA compensation at the 100% rate due to individual unemployability (IU).
Upon completion, the Labor Department will engage with participants within 30 days after their training to help them find good jobs that utilize their newly learned skills.
For more information on VOW, VRAP, high demand occupations, and how to apply, Veterans may go to the website at www.benefits.va.gov/VOW, or call VA's Call Centers toll free at 1-800-827-1000, Veterans may also access the VRAP application online at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov through eBenefits, a joint project between the Department of Defense and VA.
Veterans are also encouraged to visit the nearly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers across the nation for assistance from staff, Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVERS), and Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists. To find the center near you visit www.servicelocator.org.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:11 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:11:30 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - One person has died, following a collision between a train and a car in northern Ouachita Parish. Also, another person is injured after that wreck.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - One person has died, following a collision between a train and a car in northern Ouachita Parish. Also, another person is injured after that wreck.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:01 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:01:27 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:14 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:14:55 GMT
NEW ORLEANS (KNOE 8 News/AP) - A 13-year-old boy from a New Orleans suburb has been arrested after authorities say he told them he used TV wrestling moves on his 5-year-old half-sister, who died from the beating.
NEW ORLEANS (KNOE 8 News/AP) - A 13-year-old boy from a New Orleans suburb has been arrested after authorities say he told them he used TV wrestling moves on his 5-year-old half-sister, who died from the beating.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:27:15 GMT
TALLULAH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Board members at Madison Parish Hospital put the CEO on administrative leave earlier this month and they told us why on Tuesday.
TALLULAH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Board members at Madison Parish Hospital put the CEO on administrative leave earlier this month and they told us why on Tuesday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:45 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:45:59 GMT
SHREVEPORT, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Shreveport police have arrested a 32-year-old woman in the death of a toddler who was brought to the hospital on Monday.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Shreveport police have arrested a 32-year-old woman in the death of a toddler who was brought to the hospital on Monday.
The mayors of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and 15 other cities are reviving a push against letting food stamps be used to buy soda and other sugary drinks.
The mayors of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and 15 other cities are reviving a push against letting food stamps be used to buy soda and other sugary drinks.
