This bill limits the extension of a veteran's vocational rehabilitation program to 96 months unless extraordinary circumstances are determined and Congress is notified.
Derrick Van Orden
Representative
WI-3
The VR&E Accountability Act limits the extension of a veteran's vocational rehabilitation program to a maximum of 96 months. Any extension beyond this period requires the Secretary of the VA to determine "extraordinary circumstances" exist for the veteran. If such an extension is granted, the Secretary must notify the relevant Congressional committees, detailing the justification.
VA Rehab Program Faces 8-Year Cap: How the 'VRE Accountability Act' Changes Long-Term Veteran Support
The VRE Accountability Act aims to put a firm time limit on how long the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can extend a veteran’s vocational rehabilitation program (VRE), which helps vets with service-connected disabilities get job training and employment support. Specifically, the bill says the VA Secretary cannot extend a veteran's program past 96 months—that’s eight years—unless they can prove “extraordinary circumstances” exist for that veteran.
The New 96-Month Clock
Right now, the VA has flexibility to extend VRE programs based on individual need. This bill changes that by drawing a hard line in the sand at 96 months (Section 2). Think of it like a new, strict deadline on your college degree, but for your entire career path after service. This move is clearly designed to increase administrative accountability and push programs toward timely completion. For the VA, this means clearer timelines and likely better resource management, which sounds good on paper.
The 'Extraordinary Circumstances' Loophole
If a veteran needs more than eight years of support—maybe due to a complex, severe disability requiring extensive, phased rehabilitation, or repeated setbacks—the Secretary can still grant an exception. But it’s not easy. They must first make a formal determination that “extraordinary circumstances” are present for that specific veteran (Section 2). The bill doesn't define what counts as 'extraordinary,' which leaves a lot of power in the hands of the VA Secretary and could lead to inconsistent decisions. For a veteran with severe injuries who planned on a lengthy, multi-step transition, this lack of clarity is a major stress point.
Congressional Oversight on Long-Haul Cases
Here’s where the political oversight kicks in. If the VA Secretary does grant an extension past the 96-month mark, they are required to send a written notice to the Veterans’ Affairs Committees in both the House and the Senate, explaining the exact extraordinary circumstances that justified the decision (Section 2). This adds a layer of transparency and political scrutiny to every long-term extension. While this ensures accountability, it also adds administrative friction. For a veteran waiting on a critical program extension, this requirement could slow down the process, potentially delaying vital training or support while the paperwork makes its way to Capitol Hill.