In an effort to reduce Veteran unemployment, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 was passed and signed into law last November.  Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) for unemployed 35 to 60 year old Veterans, which will begin on July 1, 2012.

Applications for this program began on May 15, 2012.

VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to 99,000 unemployed Veterans who are at least 35 years old, but no older than 60. Eligible participants will receive up to 12 months of training assistance at the full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill ­Active Duty program (Currently $1,473 per month). DOL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates or applies to the VRAP program.

You can learn more about VRAP here http://benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm.

Detailed information on VOW and VRAP is also available at www.benefits.va.gov/VOW.