United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION  &  EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

Veteran Entrepreneurship,  Self Employment

and  Small Business Development



Veteran Entrepreneurship & VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program

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.


Sources for additional Information

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.





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