When veterans consider which education and career support programs best suit their post-service lives, understanding the differences between Chapter 31 and Chapter 33 benefits is crucial.Â
Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
Chapter 31, known as the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, is primarily designed to assist veterans with service-connected disabilities. The core aim of this program is to provide vocational rehabilitation, helping veterans prepare for and secure employment that aligns with their abilities. For those unable to work in their previous profession due to a disability, Chapter 31 offers extensive support to retrain and develop skills for new careers.
Services provided by Chapter 31
The VR&E program tailors its services to the unique needs of veterans. These services can include:
Career counseling and guidance: Veterans are offered personalized assessments to identify their employment goals, aptitudes, and any training needed to succeed.
Job placement support: For those ready for employment, VR&E helps with job placement, resume preparation, and interview skills.
Education and training: Veterans can pursue additional education/trainings to meet career goals. In cases where they already possess skills but need to update them, the program provides financial and counseling support.
Subsistence allowance: Chapter 31 provides a monthly subsistence allowance, calculated based on attendance status and number of dependents. For example, in 2024, a veteran with no dependents attending full-time would receive $768.42, while those with two dependents could get $1,123.23
Eligibility for Chapter 31
To qualify for VR&E, veterans must have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from the VA and face a barrier to employment due to this disability. VR&E is more personalized and rehabilitative than Chapter 33, focusing on matching veterans to meaningful work that accommodates their physical and mental conditions
Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill
Chapter 33, better known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, is a widely used education benefit that provides financial assistance for tuition, housing, and other education-related expenses. This program is open to veterans who served at least 90 days of active duty after September 10, 2001. Unlike Chapter 31, which focuses on vocational rehabilitation for disabled veterans, Chapter 33 emphasizes supporting veterans in higher education pursuits.
Benefits offered by Chapter 33
Chapter 33 provides the following key benefits:
Tuition and fees: Covers full in-state tuition and fees at public institutions and provides up to $27,120 annually for private or foreign institutions.
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA): This allowance is determined by the location of the educational institution based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for an E-5 with dependents.
Book and supply stipends: Veterans can receive up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies.
Relocation benefits: Chapter 33 assists veterans relocating from rural areas to attend school
Flexibility with the GI Bill
A notable feature of Chapter 33 is its flexibility. Veterans can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill to pursue multiple levels of education, including undergraduate, graduate, and vocational programs. In some cases, veterans can even use Chapter 33 benefits after utilizing Chapter 31 if additional education or retraining is required
Key differences between Chapter 31 and Chapter 33
Focus
The primary distinction lies in each program’s focus. Chapter 31 is centered on vocational rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Its goal is to help these veterans secure meaningful employment, providing support through education, counseling, and job placement services. Chapter 33, on the other hand, emphasizes higher education and offers a broader range of financial support aimed at helping veterans pursue academic degrees or certifications that can lead to new career paths.
Eligibility requirements
Eligibility for Chapter 31 requires veterans to have a service-connected disability and face barriers to employment because of that disability. Chapter 33, in contrast, is available to all veterans who served after September 10, 2001, and are looking to pursue education, regardless of disability status
Benefit limits
Another critical difference involves the benefit limits. Veterans can utilize both Chapter 31 and Chapter 33 benefits, but not simultaneously. Using Chapter 31 first is often recommended, as this ensures that the veteran can then access Chapter 33 benefits without those being counted against the VR&E’s 48-month benefit cap
Financial considerations
Chapter 31 provides veterans with subsistence allowances based on specific circumstances, such as the number of dependents and their training program’s intensity. Meanwhile, Chapter 33 offers more comprehensive financial support for tuition, fees, and housing allowances
