According to a recent VA document, only around 50% of separating service members are actually utilizing the mandatory Transition Assistance Program (TAP) from the Department of Defense, training and resources designed to prepare and equip them and their families for civilian life.
VA executives believe the federal government should be better enforcing the mandatory training, which was established as part of President Obama’s 2011 Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (VOW). An October 2014 meeting among members of the Advisory Council revealed a large discrepancy in the number of service members participating in TAP – a number that also affects the VA’s projections for disability applications and, subsequently, that area of its budget.
When it was passed, the President’s VOW Act was intended to work toward abolishing veteran unemployment with the mandatory TAP training playing a major role in that goal. But if the initiative continues to only reach 50% of veterans despite being mandatory for 100% of them, not only will veteran unemployment numbers continue to be dismal, but the veterans’ disability benefit system could be negatively impacted, as well. Va Unemployment process is not that easy.
Hopefully the Department of Defense will take action based on these reports and either improve these numbers or create a better initiative altogether.
If you are a veteran and believe you may be eligible to receive benefits from the VA, contact the Charlotte Veterans Benefits Lawyers of Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, toll-free at 877-526-3455 or by clicking here. We offer 100% free initial consultations to discuss how you can get the benefits you deserve.
