New VRAP GI Bill for Unemployed Vets

March 20, 2012 | Terry Howell

The following is an update to the previous blog post on the new VRAP GI Bill “retraining” benefit:

The new program, now known as Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), will offer up to 12 months of Montgomery GI Bill benefits for older unemployed veterans. The program is part of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act which also includes tax breaks for companies that hire veterans.

That means that pre-9/11 veterans who often feel left out, may soon qualify for as much as $17,600 ($1473 a month) for education and training. Here’s what you should know about the new VRAP:

This benefit can be used to earn an associate degree, non-college degree, or certification, and training for a high demand occupation.
According to the VA, the program will begin July 1, 2012.
This new benefit will be limited to 45K vets in FY2012 and 54K for FY 2013 through March 31, 2014.
Once participating veterans have completed the VRAP education program, the Dept. of Labor will provide employment assistance.
To be eligible for the VRAP GI Bill Veterans must:
- Be at least 35 but no more than 60 years old.
- Be unemployed (as determined by DoL).
- Not have a dishonorable discharge.
- Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program.
- Not be drawing VA compensation due to unemployability.
- Not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program.

Stay tuned for more details as VA releases them.

http://jobsforveterans.military.com/649/vet-employment-issues-home-depot/

Vet Employment Issues at Home Depot?

April 05, 2012 |Ho Lin

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a complaint against Home Depot (see official statement below) over an individual case that violates the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERRA). If you find yourself (or have found yourself) in a similar situation as the one described below, be sure to go to the USERRA section to read up on your rights and the protections you have.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST HOME DEPOT FOR VIOLATING THE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF A CALIFORNIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today the filing of a complaint in U.S. District Court in Arizona against Home Depot U.S.A. Inc. for violating the employment rights of California Army National Guard soldier Brian Bailey under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).

The department’s complaint alleges that Home Depot willfully violated USERRA by terminating Bailey’s employment because of his military service obligations. Bailey, an Iraq War veteran, worked at a Home Depot store in Flagstaff, Ariz., as a department supervisor while at the same time serving in the California Army National Guard. Throughout his employment with Home Depot, Bailey took periodic leave from work to fulfill his military obligations with the National Guard. According to the Justice Department’s complaint, Bailey was removed from his position as a department supervisor after Home Depot management officials at the Flagstaff store openly expressed their displeasure with his periodic absences from work due to his military obligations and further indicated their desire to remove him from his position because of those absences.Bailey initially filed a complaint with the Labor Department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, which investigated the matter, determined that the complaint had merit and referred the matter to the Justice Department. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division subsequently decided to represent Bailey in this matter and filed this lawsuit on his behalf. USERRA prohibits employers from discriminating against National Guard soldiers, such as Bailey, with respect to employment opportunities based on their past, current or future uniformed service obligations. Under USERRA, it is unlawful for an employer to terminate an employee because he has to miss work due to military obligations.Among other things, the suit seeks compensation for Bailey’s lost wages and benefits, liquidated damages and reinstatement of Bailey’s employment with Home Depot.“The men and women who wear our nation’s uniform need to know that they do not have to sacrifice their job at home in order to serve our country,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to aggressive enforcement of USERRA to protect the rights of those who, through their bravery and sacrifice, secure the rights of all Americans.”“The National Guard is composed primarily of civilian men and women who serve their country, state and community on a part-time basis,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ann Birmingham Scheel. “National Guard members, and their employers, should know that we will employ all of USERRA’s tools to protect the employment rights of those in uniform while they sacrifice time away from their families and jobs for training and active duty.”This case is being handled by the Employment Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

Companies represented at our expo can be viewed at:
http://beahero-hireahero.com/sponsors-exhibitors.php

Hero Sponsor
Verizon

Salute Sponsor
Colgate

Veteran Sponsors
Abbtech
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield NJ
PSE&G
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance

Soldier Sponsors
Atlanta Police Department
Barnabas Health
BR Guest Restaurants
Cablevision
Cablevision Call Center-Newark
The CDL School
CDW
Connecticut State Police
Cornell University
Crestron
Dress for Success
ESGR
FDM Group
Food and Drug Administration
Georgian Court University
Helmet to Hardhats
Hope for the Warriors
Investors Bank
Lime Energy
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Mount Saint Mary College
MTA
National Resource Directory
Newark Dept of Labor
NJ Department of Labor
NYCEDA
NY Police Department
OASAM
Parente Beard
Prime America
Prudential Insurance
Schiavone Construction
Southern Air
The Port Authority NJ & NJ
United Technologies Corporation
US Dept. of Veterans Affairs Newark Regional Office
VETS
Vets 2 Vets
VHA Outreach Services
YCS Youth Consultation Service

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SERVICE!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

The BE A HERO-HIRE A HERO® TEAM
For more information contact us at:
nperito@beahero-hireahero.com

Please remember to dress for success
and bring plenty of resumes!

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"Be A Hero-Hire A Hero®" is an employment initiative designed to link employers to qualified Veterans and their family members seeking employment.