Government Shutdown Freezes VR&E: Over 10,000 Veterans Waiting as Counselors Furloughed
Imagine this: you’ve waited months for approval under Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E). You finally get your training plan approved, register for classes, and start building your new life.
Then—your counselor vanishes.
That’s what’s happening to veterans right now all across the country.
In our VR&E Facebook group with over 46,000 members, one veteran attending Liberty University shared this message from the school:
“We would need an updated authorization form in order to process your VR&E benefits for the Spring 2026 semester. We are aware that due to the government shutdown, some counselors may not be able to perform their duties at this time.”
Without that updated form from a counselor, veterans cannot enroll or continue their education, leaving them in limbo.
Protect Veterans Now
The Hidden Cost of the Shutdown: A Growing VR&E Backlog
Before the shutdown even began, the VR&E program was already overwhelmed. The backlog of applications exceeded 10,000 cases, and many regional offices were running with high vacancy rates among Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs).
The national ratio of counselors to veterans was hovering around 1:200—far beyond sustainable levels. That means one counselor is often juggling over two hundred veterans, each with complex training or rehabilitation plans that require ongoing management.
When the shutdown hit, all new VR&E applications stopped being processed. The only actions VA could legally continue were payments directly to veterans, such as subsistence allowances.
However, some regional offices have continued to pay school invoices despite the shutdown, largely because the VA’s central policy team never issued clear guidance about which functions were allowed during the furlough.
The result? Confusion, inconsistent enforcement, and a worsening bottleneck.
What Liberty University Told Me
When I called Liberty University to verify what was happening, staff confirmed the situation: VR&E and Tuition Assistance for active-duty students have both been affected.
Their advice to veterans was to seek alternate funding for the next term if they can’t reach their counselor. That may include:
- Temporarily using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
- Applying for federal student loans or grants
- Setting up a payment plan directly with the university
However, they cautioned that if the VA ultimately declines authorization, the veteran could be personally responsible for repayment.
This means veterans are being asked to shoulder the financial risk for a federal agency’s shutdown — an unacceptable position for those who’ve already earned these benefits through service and sacrifice.
Retroactive Induction: A Potential Safety Net
If you use your GI Bill to bridge the gap while waiting for VR&E to restart, there’s a small glimmer of hope. You may later be eligible for retroactive induction, a process where VR&E can reimburse your school or restore the GI Bill entitlement used during the delay—but only if your program was previously approved and you can prove continuous enrollment.
If you take this route, save every invoice, payment receipt, and email trail with your counselor and school’s certifying official.
A Decade of Neglect Comes to a Head
As someone who’s covered and litigated VR&E issues for more than a decade, I can tell you this collapse was predictable.
For years, both parties in Congress—Republicans and Democrats—have failed to properly staff or fund the VR&E program. It’s one of the VA’s most transformative services, helping disabled veterans become:
- Lawyers
- Doctors
- Psychologists
- Educators
- Entrepreneurs
- IT professionals
Yet time and again, VR&E is treated like an optional add-on instead of what it truly is: a lifeline for America’s disabled veterans to rejoin the workforce and lead in their communities.
Who This Shutdown Hurts the Most
Disabled veterans who depend on VR&E are already walking a tightrope. They’re balancing physical or psychological injuries while pursuing demanding academic or professional training.
Now, many of them are stuck midstream—unable to enroll, unable to graduate, and in some cases, unable to pay rent without the monthly subsistence allowance.
And when the government reopens? Expect chaos.
The backlog of 10,000+ applications will surge, and with a skeleton staff of counselors (1:200 ratio), it could take months—if not a full semester or more—to recover.
What Veterans Should Do Right Now
If you’re affected by the shutdown:
- Contact your school’s Military Affairs Office.
Ask about deferment options or temporary funding solutions. - Explore alternate funding (GI Bill, loans, grants, or payment plans).
Keep all documentation in case you later qualify for reimbursement. - Alert your elected officials.
Email your U.S. Senator and Representative. Tell them how the VR&E shutdown is impacting your ability to train for employment. - Stay connected and informed.
Join our VR&E Facebook Group for updates, support, and shared resources from other veterans navigating this crisis.
Final Thoughts
The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program remains one of the VA’s most effective tools for reintegrating disabled veterans into civilian life. Shutting it down—even partially—sends a dangerous message about where veterans stand in the nation’s priorities.
Veterans held up their end of the bargain. It’s time for Congress and the VA to hold up theirs.
Until next time—
I’m Benjamin Krause, VA-Accredited Attorney and founder of the Veteran Rights Podcast.
If your VR&E benefits are denied, feel free to reach out to Krause Law with questions you may have.
God bless, and take care.
