Effective October 1, 2017, the minimum monthly rate for VA Vocational Rehabilitation program Subsistence Allowance is $617.40, while the maximum is $2,613, tax-free. Veterans with remaining Post 9/11 GI Bill entitlement are eligible for a higher Basic Allowance for Housing rate for subsistence.
This article provides a summary and individual program breakdown of VA Vocational Rehabilitation program Subsistence Allowance.
A Subsistence Allowance consists monies paid each month to qualified disabled veterans while enrolled in training using the Vocational Rehabilitation program. It is based on the rate of attendance (full-time or part-time), the number of dependence, and the type of training program the veteran is in.
Receipt of the Subsistence Allowance equivalent to the Post 9/11 GI Bill rate in your local area is dependent on whether the veteran used up their Chapter 33 GI Bill entitlement prior to starting Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation program.
RELATED: Voc Rehab Resource Page
Overview VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program Subsistence Allowance Rates
| Type Training | Training Time | No Deps | One Dep | Two Deps | Each Additional Dep |
| Institutional | Full-time | $617.40 | $765.83 | $902.48 | $65.77 |
| 3/4 time | $463.90 | $575.21 | $674.73 | $50.59 | |
| 1/2 time | $310.40 | $384.594 | $452.06 | $33.75 | |
| Farm Cooperative, OJT, or Apprenticeship | Full-time | $539.81 | $652.79 | $752.34 | $48.93 |
| Extended Evaluation | Full-time | $617.40 | $765.83 | $902.48 | $65.77 |
| 3/4 time | $463.90 | $575.21 | $674.73 | $50.59 | |
| 1/2 time | $310.40 | $384.59 | $452.06 | $33.75 | |
| 1/4 time | $155.18 | $192.32 | $226.03 | $16.84 | |
| Independent Living | Full-time | $617.40 | $765.83 | $902.48 | $65.77 |
| 3/4 time | $463.90 | $575.21 | $674.73 | $50.59 | |
| 1/2 time | $310.40 | $384.59 | $452.06 | $33.75 | |
RELATED: What Is VA Vocational Rehabilitation?
Breakdown Of VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program Subsistence Allowance Rates By Training Option
The following breakdowns of the subsistence allowance rates are essentially the same for all training programs but there exist some variances for certain programs.
For example, subsistence allowance rates change depending on your rate of attendance at college between full-time, three-quarter-time, and one-half-time.
For on-the-job training, those rates are full-time only.
College Subsistence Allowance Rate
The following Subsistence Allowance rates are paid for training in an Institution of Higher Learning.
| Number of Dependents | Full Time | Three Quarter Time | One Half Time |
| No Dependents | $617.40 | $463.90 | $310.40 |
| One Dependent | $765.83 | $575.21 | $384.59 |
| Two Dependents | $902.48 | $674.73 | $452.06 |
| Each Additional Dependent | $65.77 | $50.59 | $33.75 |
Training In Non-Academic Settings
Subsistence Allowance is paid for full time training only, in the following training programs: Non-pay or nominal pay on-job training in a federal, state, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe agency; training in the home; vocational course in a rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop; institutional non-farm cooperative.
| Number of Dependents | Full Time |
| No Dependents | $617.40 |
| One Dependent | $765.83 |
| Two Dependents | $902.48 |
| Each Additional Dependent | $65.77 |
Work Experience Programs
The following rates are paid for Work Experience programs: Non-pay or nominal pay work experience in a federal, state, local or federally recognized Indian tribe agency.
| Number of Dependents | Full Time | Three Quarter Time | One Half Time |
| No Dependents | $617.40 | $463.90 | $310.40 |
| One Dependent | $765.83 | $575.21 | $384.59 |
| Two Dependents | $902.48 | $674.73 | $452.06 |
| Each Additional Dependent | $65.77 | $50.59 | $33.75 |
Apprenticeship-type Training Programs
Subsistence Allowance is paid for full-time training only in the following training programs: Farm Cooperative, Apprenticeship, or other On-Job Training.
| Number of Dependents | Full Time |
| No Dependent | $539.81 |
| One Dependent | $652,79 |
| Two Dependents | $752.34 |
| Each Additional Dependent | $48.93 |
Institutional OJT
Subsistence Allowance is paid at the following rates for combined training programs: Combination of Institutional and On-Job Training (Full-Time Rate Only).
| Number of Dependents | Institutional Greater than One Half | On-the-Job Greater than One Half |
| No Dependent | $617.40 | $539.81 |
| One Dependent | $765.83 | $652.79 |
| Two Dependents | $902.48 | $752.34 |
| Each Additional Dependent | $65.77 | $48.93 |
Non-farm Cooperative Training
Subsistence Allowance is paid at the following rates for Non-farm Cooperative Training: Non-farm Cooperative Institutional Training and Non-farm Cooperative On-Job Training – Full Time Rate Only.
| Number of Dependents | FT Non-Farm Coop/Institutional | FT Non-Farm Coop/On-the-Job |
| No Dependent | $617.40 | $539.81 |
| One Dependent | $765.83 | $652.79 |
| Two Dependents | $902.48 | $752.34 |
| Each Additional Dependent | $65.77 | $48.93 |
Independent Living Program Subsistence Allowance
Subsistence Allowance is paid at the following rates for Independent Living programs: A subsistence allowance is paid each month during the period of enrollment in a rehabilitation facility when a veteran is pursuing an approved Independent Living Program plan. Subsistence allowance paid during a period of Independent Living Services is based on rate of pursuit and number of dependents. Independent Living subsistence allowance rates.
| Number of Dependents | Full Time | Three Quarter Time | One Half Time |
| No Dependents | $617.40 | $463.90 | $310.40 |
| One Dependent | $765.83 | $575.21 | $384.59 |
| Two Dependents | $902.48 | $674.73 | $452.06 |
| Each Additional Dependent | $65.77 | $50.59 | $33.75 |
Extended Evaluation Training
Subsistence Allowance is paid at the following rates for Extended Evaluation programs: A subsistence allowance is paid each month during the period of enrollment in a rehabilitation facility when a veteran requires this service for the purpose of extended evaluation. Subsistence allowance during a period of extended evaluation is paid based on the rate of attendance and the number of dependents. Extended Evaluation program subsistence allowance rates.
| Number of Dependents | Full Time | Three Quarter Time | One Half Time | One Quarter Time |
| No Dependents | $617.40 | $463.90 | $310.40 | $155.18 |
| One Dependent | $765.83 | $575.21 | $384.59 | $192.32 |
| Two Dependents | $902.48 | $674.73 | $452.06 | $226.03 |
| Each Additional Dependent | $65.77 | $50.59 | $33.75 | $16.84 |
*Institutional training also includes unpaid or nominally paid OJT or work experience in a Federal, State, local, or Indian tribal government agency.
This maximum rate was calculated based upon full-time enrollment for a Veteran with the following dependents: spouse, mother, father and 25 children.
Thanks for checking in to get the current Vocational Rehabilitation program Subsistence Allowance rates. Be sure to check out our other Voc Rehab benefits resources on the resource page linked at the top.
For more information about how to fight for your Voc Rehab benefits, check out our Voc Rehab Survival Guide.
Source: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/subsistence_allowance_rates.asp