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Want to know exactly how much money you’ll get from VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) in 2026?
This guide walks you through the official 2026 VA VR&E pay rates—also called the Chapter 31 subsistence allowance, so you can quickly estimate your monthly voc rehab pay based on your training time and number of dependents.
Key details for this pay chart:
- Program: Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), formerly “Voc Rehab,” Chapter 31
- Benefit: Monthly subsistence allowance (VR&E stipend) paid while you’re in an approved plan
- Effective dates: Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 2026) – from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026
- CPI increase: Based on the 2025 2.5% Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase (not 2026!)
The VR&E subsistence allowance is a tax-free monthly stipend paid on top of any VA disability compensation you already receive.
Jump to: What Is VA VR&E (Chapter 31)? • 2026 VA VR&E Pay Chart • How to Calculate Your 2026 VR&E Pay • VR&E vs Post-9/11 GI Bill Housing • Who Qualifies for VR&E? • How to Apply for VR&E • FAQs
Table of Contents
What Is VA VR&E (Chapter 31 Voc Rehab)?
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)—still widely called “Voc Rehab”—is a VA program under Chapter 31 that helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable employment or live as independently as possible if you can’t work.
Depending on your situation, VR&E can provide:
- Tuition, fees, and required books/supplies at approved schools
- On-the-job training, apprenticeships, and non-paid work experience
- Career counseling, resume help, and job placement support
- Independent living services if your disability makes work difficult or impossible
On top of these services, most vets care about one thing: “How much does VR&E pay me per month?” That’s where the Chapter 31 subsistence allowance comes in.
2026 VA Chapter 31 Pay Chart
The pay chart below is taken directly from the official VA VR&E Fiscal Year 2026 Subsistence Rates page and reflects a 2.5% CPI increase.
Important: These 2026 VR&E pay rates are effective from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
2026 VR&E Institutional Training Rates (College, University, Trade School)
| Training Time | No Dependents | One Dependent | Two Dependents | Each Additional Dependent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time | $812.84 | $1,008.24 | $1,188.15 | $86.58 |
| ¾ Time | $610.76 | $757.28 | $888.32 | $66.60 |
| ½ Time | $408.66 | $506.32 | $595.16 | $44.42 |
| ¼ Time1 | $204.30 | $253.20 | $297.59 | $22.16 |
Includes college, university, vocational/technical school, and nonpay or nominal-pay work experience in a federal, state, local, or federally recognized tribal agency, plus “Improvement of Rehabilitation Potential” programs.
2026 VR&E Nonpay Government OJT, Home Training, Rehab Facility & Independent Instructor
| Training Time | No Dependents | One Dependent | Two Dependents | Each Additional Dependent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Only | $812.84 | $1,008.24 | $1,188.15 | $86.58 |
Includes nonpay or nominal-pay on-the-job training in a federal, state, local, or tribal agency, training in the home, vocational courses in a rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop, and training with an independent instructor.
2026 VR&E Farm Co-Op, Apprenticeship & Other Paid On-the-Job Training
| Training Time | No Dependents | One Dependent | Two Dependents | Each Additional Dependent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Only | $710.67 | $859.43 | $990.47 | $64.41 |
For paid farm cooperative programs, apprenticeships, and other on-the-job training (OJT). For OJT, your training wage plus subsistence allowance can’t be more than the normal journeyman wage for that job.
2026 VR&E Combination Training (School + OJT)
If more than half of your program is classroom (institutional) training, you’re paid at the institutional full-time rate:
| Combination Type | Training Time | No Dependents | One Dependent | Two Dependents | Each Additional Dependent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institutional > ½ of Program (Non-farm cooperative institutional + non-farm cooperative OJT) | Full-Time Only | $812.84 | $1,008.24 | $1,188.15 | $86.58 |
If more than half of your program is on-the-job training, you’re paid at the OJT full-time rate:
| Combination Type | Training Time | No Dependents | One Dependent | Two Dependents | Each Additional Dependent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-the-Job > ½ of Program (Non-farm cooperative institutional + non-farm cooperative OJT) | Full-Time Only | $710.67 | $859.43 | $990.47 | $64.41 |
Important Notes
- 1 The ¼-time rate may be paid only during Extended Evaluation under VR&E.
- 2 For on-the-job training (OJT), your training wage plus subsistence allowance cannot exceed the normal journeyman wage for that occupation.
- These Chapter 31 rates are standard nationwide and do not change by ZIP code. ZIP code only matters if you elect the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing (BAH) rate instead of the standard VR&E rate.
Maximum VR&E subsistence allowance for FY 2026: $3,439.23 per month (extreme example: veteran in full-time training with a spouse, mother, father, and 25 children).
How to Calculate Your 2026 VR&E Payment (Examples)
Your 2026 voc rehab pay rate depends on three things:
- Training time (full-time, ¾-time, ½-time, or ¼-time)
- Training type (institutional vs. OJT/co-op vs. combo)
- Number of qualifying dependents (spouse, children, and in some cases dependent parents)
VA pays the subsistence allowance monthly based on your certified enrollment and plan status.
Example #1: Full-Time School, Spouse + One Child
- Type of training: Institutional (college/university)
- Training time: Full-time
- Dependents: 2 (spouse + one child)
From the chart:
- Full-time institutional, 2 dependents = $1,188.15 per month
This $1,188.15 is your tax-free VR&E subsistence allowance for FY 2026 while you’re in full-time training at that dependency level.
Example #2: Full-Time On-the-Job Training, Spouse Only
- Type of training: Farm co-op / apprenticeship / other OJT
- Training time: Full-time
- Dependents: 1 (spouse)
From the chart:
- Full-time OJT, 1 dependent = $859.43 per month
You also earn a training wage from the employer, but VR&E caps your wage + allowance so it doesn’t exceed the normal journeyman wage for that occupation.
Example #3: Full-Time School, Spouse + Two Kids (Three Dependents)
- Type of training: Institutional
- Training time: Full-time
- Dependents: 3 (spouse + 2 children)
Step-by-step:
- Start with the two-dependent rate: $1,188.15
- Add the “each additional dependent” amount once: + $86.58
Total VR&E subsistence allowance = $1,274.73 per month.
VR&E vs Post-9/11 GI Bill Housing Rate (Which Pays More?)
Some veterans in VR&E can choose an alternate pay structure that uses the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing rate instead of the standard Chapter 31 chart.
VA explains it this way: if you’re in a VR&E program and also eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), you may choose to be paid the GI Bill subsistence (housing) rate instead of the Chapter 31 subsistence allowance, if both are true:
- You have at least 1 day of entitlement remaining under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and
- You’re still within your Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility period.
Key differences:
- Standard VR&E pay (Chapter 31 chart) – the 2026 rates above. Same nationwide.
- Post-9/11 GI Bill rate while in VR&E – based on the BAH for an E-5 with dependents at your school’s ZIP code (or national average in some situations).
In many medium- to high-cost areas, the GI Bill BAH rate is higher than the standard VR&E subsistence allowance. In some lower-cost areas, the Chapter 31 chart may be more competitive.
Smart move: Ask your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) to show you both amounts in writing—standard Chapter 31 vs. GI Bill subsistence—so you can elect the higher rate using VA Form 28-0987 (Election of Subsistence Allowance Rate).
Good news: VA states that if you use VR&E, they do not deduct entitlement from your other VA education benefits (like the Post-9/11 GI Bill). Instead, prior education use may reduce your VR&E entitlement time, not the other way around.
Who Qualifies for VR&E (Chapter 31) and These 2026 Pay Rates?
According to VA, you can apply for VR&E as a veteran if:
- You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
- You have a VA service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, and
- You submit an application and complete an evaluation with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC).
During the evaluation, the VRC decides whether you have an employment handicap or serious employment handicap and whether you’re entitled to VR&E services.
Additional rules:
- If you were discharged before January 1, 2013, there is normally a 12-year basic period of eligibility, starting from your separation date or the date of your first VA rating (whichever is later).
- If you were discharged on or after January 1, 2013, there is no time limit on when you can use VR&E.
- Serious employment handicap cases can get extensions beyond the basic 12-year window.
Once VR&E approves you and places you in an active rehabilitation plan (training, employment, or independent living track), you become eligible for the appropriate 2026 VR&E subsistence allowance based on your specific plan and enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are 2026 VR&E subsistence payments tax-free?
Yes. The VR&E subsistence allowance is treated as a tax-free stipend, similar to other VA education-related benefits. VA and education partners describe the VR&E subsistence allowance as a tax-free monthly benefit rather than taxable income. Always confirm your specific situation with a qualified tax professional.
2. How often do VR&E pay rates change?
By law and VA policy, Chapter 31 subsistence allowance rates are adjusted each year on October 1, based on a COLA tied to inflation. The 2026 VR&E pay chart is effective from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
3. Do I get more voc rehab pay if I have more dependents?
Yes. Under the standard Chapter 31 VR&E rates, your monthly subsistence allowance increases with each approved dependent (spouse, qualifying children, and sometimes dependent parents), up to the statutory maximum. VA uses the “each additional dependent” column to calculate amounts beyond two dependents.
4. Is the GI Bill housing rate always better than VR&E?
No. In many medium- and high-cost areas, the Post-9/11 GI Bill BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents beats the standard VR&E subsistence allowance. But in lower-cost areas, the Chapter 31 chart can sometimes be comparable or even better, especially if your BAH is based on the national average.
The only way to know for sure is to have your VRC calculate both and then elect the higher rate using VA’s subsistence allowance election form.
5. Where can I see the official 2026 VR&E pay chart?
VA publishes the current and prior VR&E subsistence allowance tables here:
- VR&E Fiscal Year 2026 Subsistence Rates (official Chapter 31 pay chart)
- Subsistence Allowance Rates overview page, with links to FY 2023–2026 tables and Post-9/11 VR&E guidance
6. When do the 2026 VR&E rates actually start paying out?
VR&E subsistence allowance is paid monthly in arrears, meaning you’re paid after the month of training is complete. So the first payment at the new FY 2026 rates (for October 2025 training) typically shows up around the beginning of November 2025. After that, you’ll usually see your voc rehab pay hit around the beginning of each month for the prior month of training.
7. How do I apply for VR&E so I can get these 2026 pay rates?
To actually get paid at the 2026 VR&E rates, you must be in an approved VR&E plan. VA now lets you apply for VR&E directly online using VA Form 28-1900 through VA.gov.
There are four main ways to apply for VR&E benefits:
- Option #1 – Apply online (recommended): Go to the official VA page, sign in with a verified Login.gov, ID.me, or DS Logon account, and complete the “Apply for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)” application (VA Form 28-1900) entirely online.
- Option #2 – By mail: Download and fill out VA Form 28-1900, “Application for Veteran Readiness and Employment”, then mail it in.
- Option #3 – In person: Visit a VA regional office and ask a VA employee to help you complete and submit your VR&E application.
- Option $4 – With help: Work with an accredited VSO, claims agent, or VA-accredited attorney to file your VR&E application if you don’t want to do it alone.
After you apply, VA will schedule you for a meeting with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). That’s where they decide if you’re entitled to VR&E and which track and services you qualify for—and that’s what unlocks these 2026 voc rehab pay rates.
8. Do I need a 20% rating to get VR&E, or can I qualify with 10%?
VA’s basic rule is that you can apply for VR&E with a service-connected rating of at least 10% and a discharge that isn’t dishonorable. But entitlement works a little differently behind the scenes:
- Most vets with a 20% or higher rating only need an “employment handicap” for VR&E entitlement.
- Vets with a 10% rating usually need a “serious employment handicap” to be granted entitlement.
That’s why you’ll sometimes see a 20% veteran approved for VR&E while a 10% veteran gets denied—it often comes down to the VRC’s finding about how much your service-connected conditions actually impact your ability to prepare for, find, and keep suitable employment.
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
For FY 2026 (10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026), the VA VR&E pay chart above is your official reference for voc rehab subsistence allowance rates.
- Use your training type + training time + dependent count to look up your monthly tax-free amount.
- Ask your VRC to compare the standard Chapter 31 rate vs. the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing rate so you can elect the higher option if you qualify.
- Remember that VR&E is on top of your existing VA disability compensation, not a replacement.
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About The Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
