Veterans Employment Initiative Veterans Services FAQs

Congress determines eligibility for veterans’ preference through law in title 5, United States Code, Section 2108 ( 5 USC 2108). However, the Federal agency to which a veteran applies for employment will adjudicate claims for veterans’ preference.  The agency will request a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other acceptable documentation in order to adjudicate claims for veterans' preference

A fillable SF-15 can be found at: http://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf

No.  While OPM provides government-wide leadership on Federal programs and policies, OPM does not investigate individual complaints alleging prohibited personnel practices.  Complaints alleging prohibited personnel practices and retaliation should be directed to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).  OSC receives, investigates, and prosecutes allegations of prohibited personnel practices and can be visited at www.osc.gov.

Visit http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/ for information pertaining to replacement of SF-50 or contact the agency you worked for Human Resources Office for assistance.

No. veterans' preference does not apply to appointments using VEOA.

You are a 5 point preference eligible if your active duty service meets any of the          Following timeframes: • 180 or more consecutive days, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001 and ending on a future date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law as the last date of Operation Iraqi Freedom, OR • Between August 2, 1990 and January 2, 1992, OR • 180 or more consecutive days, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955 and before October 15, 1976, OR • In a war, campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or between April 28, 1952 and July 1, 1955. You are a 10 point preference eligible if you served at any time, and you: • Have a service connected disability, OR received a Purple Heart. If you are still not sure of your preference eligibility, visit the Department of Labor's Veterans' Preference Advisor at: http://www.dol.gov/elaws/vets/vetpref/mservice.htm.

No.  There is no limit on how many times you can apply and claim an entitlement to veterans' preference.  However, it is important to remember that veterans' preference does not apply when the agency is using merit promotion procedures to fill a position.

You should contact a VA Regional Veterans Employment Coordinator (RVEC) on www.va.gov/vecs/   . These VA representatives provide direct, hands-on assistance to Veterans seeking employment or visit VA for Vets website which facilitates the reintegration, retention and hiring of Veteran employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at: http://vaforvets.va.gov/Pages/default.aspx 

Yes – You can request a Statement of Service through your Military Personnel Office.  The Statement of Service will need to list your dates of military service, character of service, and expected date of separation.  If you have been awarded a service-connected disability rating from your branch of military service, include the disability rating in your Statement of Service.

No. You may not receive veterans’ preference in Federal employment as the spouse of a veteran if the veteran is living and qualified for Federal employment.

No. Such an employee remains subject to time-in-grade restrictions.   However, a current career conditional employee is not restricted from applying to this type of announcements when there is a demographic area of consideration.

You will find the most current information regarding special hiring authorities on the Feds Hire Vets website at: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx.

Yes.  There is no limit to the number of times you can use veterans' preference.

The SF-15 and any other requested documentation should be submitted with your complete application to the agency where you are applying for Federal employment.