[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 3 (Thursday, January 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E50]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E50]]
    INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 297, VETERAN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND 
        EMPLOYMENT SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE BUYER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 8, 2009

  Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the Veteran 
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Subsistence Allowance 
Improvement Act of 2009. The Department of Veteran Affairs' Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Employment program should be the crown jewel in VA's 
benefit system for service-disabled veterans.
  Most of the nearly 100,000 veterans participating in this program are 
enrolled in long-term education programs, typically those that lead to 
a college degree. Unfortunately, thousands of participants drop out of 
the Vocational Rehabilitation program because they need to work to 
support their families. This legislation would significantly increase 
the ability of veterans to support their families while undergoing 
rehabilitation.
  Today's VR&E program, in addition to paying for the costs related to 
any education or training program, also provides a small subsistence 
per month allowance. For FY09, the basic allowance for full-time 
participation is about $541 per month with small additional sums for 
dependents. Considering this modest amount, it is not surprising that 
thousands of veterans drop out of their rehabilitation program. This 
bill would increase the basic subsistence allowance to $1,200 per 
month. The bill would also simplify VA's administrative burden by 
standardizing payments for all types of services under the program.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to co-sponsor and support the 
measure.

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