Veteran Entrepreneurship, Self Employment
and Small Business Development
The Department of Veteran Affairs Veteran Benefits Administration
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service (VR&E) in partnership
with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Association of
Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) co-jointly provide entrepreneurial
assistance to qualified service connected disabled veterans participating
in a VR&E program. This partnership is a result of the
Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999 (PL106-50).
The joint mission is to support a qualified veteran who is exploring business
ownership, expanding a business or moving into the Federal marketplace.
A qualified service connected disabled veteran is one who is found
eligible and entitled to participate in a VR&E program. One for whom
self-employment is the most realistic and viable option to become suitably
employed.
Guidance from VR&E, SBA and SBDC is provided as the program
participant researches the economic viability of their proposed business,
develops a business plan, and demonstrates the financial feasibility of
their plan. The level of assistance provided will be determined by the
VR&E case manager and the severity of the individual's service connected
disability(ies). The goal of the program is to achieve rehabilitation
through self-employment. The Department of Veteran Affairs does not grant
small business loans. The Small Business Administration
has loan programs for which a veteran may qualify.
The VR&E Service
as noted above provides guidance as the qualified service connected
disabled veteran researches and develops required documentation for
business plan approval.
The
SBA & SBDC provide technical assistance regarding
entrepreneurship and business development.
Links to Internet sites for addtional information.
The following Internet Links are provided as informational resources
that relate to employment and vocational rehabilitation.
The Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse and is not
responsible for the accuracy or content of these websites.
Please forward comments regarding the technical
aspects of this website (access / functionality) to VRE Service
Webmaster at:
VREWebmaster@vba.va.gov
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