The New FAST VETS Act Can Help You Cut Through VR&E Red Tape
When the Focused Assistance and Skills Training for Veterans’ Employment and Transition Success Act (FAST VETS Act) was signed into law in January of 2026, it rendered the process of using Chapter 31 benefits to re-enter the job market more adaptable for Veterans with service-connected disabilities. As a result, Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of at least 10% (who have an employment handicap) and eligible active service members are now entitled to redevelopment of their Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) if certain circumstances apply to their situation.
If you could benefit from a modification to your IWRP in order to position yourself for greater success in the workforce, we can help. Call the reputable legal team at Capovilla & Williams at 866-951-0466 or contact us online to get started at no cost.
How Can the FAST VETS Act Help Veterans with Disabilities Get Back to Work?
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, or Chapter 31), which used to be known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, is an employment-related benefit program accessible to eligible Veterans who have sustained service-related disabilities and been granted a disability rating from the VA of at least 10% with a serious employment handicap (or 20% or higher with an employment handicap). Once a Veteran has been cleared to receive VR&E benefits and services, they are generally entitled to receive:
- Rehabilitation planning and counseling for professional or vocational purposes
- Work-readiness support, potentially including job training, on-the-job training, academic opportunities, and case management
- Independent living services
However, before an individual applicant can benefit from access to any personalized services, their circumstances must be thoroughly evaluated. Only after their skills, abilities, and employment-related interests have been assessed are they granted access to specific benefits via an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan.
Sometimes, an IWRP empowers a Veteran to re-enter the workforce effectively. Other times, a plan – as originally crafted – is ineffective or is rendered inadequate by a change in a Veteran’s circumstances. In the past, reevaluation of an IWRP was largely a discretionary process. Thanks to the FAST VETS Act, the VA is now required to redevelop an individual Veteran’s plan if:
- Their current plan is no longer sufficient for their needs due to changes in their employment-related handicap(s); and
- Their likelihood for success in the job market will be greater if an adjusted plan is put into place.
This means that when eligible Veterans are seeking reemployment opportunities and their efforts aren’t bearing fruit, they may not only be entitled to more effective benefits, they may be entitled to receive an adjustment in their IWRP quickly and meaningfully.
Trustworthy Legal Guidance and Support Is Immediately Available
The American job market has become increasingly difficult to navigate successfully in recent years. It can be even harder for a Veteran who needs employment-related accommodations to manage than it is for many others. Thanks to Chapter 31 benefits and the FAST VETS Act, however, hurdles to gainful employment are becoming easier for Veterans with disabilities to clear.
The knowledgeable legal team at Capovilla & Williams defends VA disability matters at no out-of-pocket costs to our clients. As a result, you have nothing to lose by seeking the kind of legal support and guidance you deserve as you seek to successfully navigate the job market. Tell us about your situation today by calling 866-951-0466 or connecting with our team online to get started. We look forward to hearing from you.
