VOW to Hire Heroes Act

On May 31, 2012, the House Veterans Affairs Committee conducted an oversight hearing entitled, "Reviewing the Implementation of Major Provisions of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011" (VOW Act). The main focus of the hearing was the implementation status for the "Veterans Retraining Program" (VRAP). The VRAP will provide up to one year of Montgomery GI Bill benefits of $1,473 per month to unemployed veterans, ages 35 – 60, for in-demand jobs and careers.

In his opening remarks, Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) said he is pleased to hear about the efforts at both the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs to implement the VOW Act, but said there has not been enough outreach and promotion at the Cabinet level and by the President to promote the VOW Act, especially the VRAP. Chairman Miller cited an example of a one-stop center not being aware of the VRAP program until May 11th and voiced concern the word was still not getting out to the local areas. Chairman Miller also cited an example of a veteran who saw an advertisement made by a local one-stop center, and after discussing VRAP with the Local Veteran Employment Representative, completed an application.

Testifying at the hearing were General Allison Hickey, Under Secretary for Benefits, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and Ismael "Junior" Ortiz, Acting Assistant Secretary, Veterans Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). Under Secretary Hickey said the application process began on May 15, and to date the VA has received 12,200 applications - a little over a two-week period. The VA has processed 1,400 claims to date.

The VRAP is limited to 45,000 participants from July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012, and to 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance at the full-time payment rate under the GI Bill. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, certificate, or similar evidence of completion of an educational or training program the veteran received in a high demand occupation.

The Committee members were concerned about the outreach being conducted to get the word out to veterans in 35 – 60 year old category. Under Secretary Hickey and Assistant Secretary Ortiz described the outreach efforts both departments are conducting – using public service announcements (PSAs), providing information on as many websites as possible, mass e-mails, directives,participation in job fairs, partnering with other groups, using Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), conducting webinars, and other efforts.