The Sidney Herald

New Steps Help Disabled Vets Get Back to Work

Three new steps to help disabled veterans make a smoother and quicker comeback to productive employment were announced today by the Veterans Administration.

One step gives disabled veterans "head start" toward rehabilitation by allowing them to begin vocational training under VA's program for the disabled while they still are patients in VA hospitals.

But they must be well enough along in their hospital treatment to be able to leave the hospital part of the day to attend school or a training establishment, VA said.

Before this, disabled veterans generally had to be out of the hospital before they could begin their rehabilitation training.

Another new step now allows veterans to start vocational rehabilitation training even if they can't complete it by the termination date for training established by the law.

However, arrangements must be made for some agency other than the VA - such as a State Rehabilitation Agency - to pick up where VA has to leave off.

Formerly, veterans could take only those courses they could complete by the termination date.

The termination date for disabled Korea veterans who left the service before August 20, 1954, is August 20, 1963. The date for those who left service after August 20, 1954, is nine years from separation or January 31, 1964, whichever comes first. In some instances, these dates can be extended.

Only a few World War II disabled still are eligible for vocational rehabilitation, and their terminal date is July 25, 1960.

VA's third new step now permits VA to give job-finding assistance as well as personal counseling to disabled veterans after they have completed their vocational training - if they can't find employment or if there's some personality difficulty standing in their way of getting and holding a job.

Previously, VA counseling was given only before a veteran started his training, or while he was in training.

Vocational rehabilitation training is available to service-disabled Korea veterans and to some few disabled World War II veterans. Purpose of the training - which may be taken in school, on-the-job or on-the-farm - is to help a disabled veteran prepare for a job he can hold in spite of his handicap.

Question of the Week:

Q-I am a World War II veteran and have never applied for a GI home loan. How much more time do I have in which to get a loan?

A-World War II veterans have until July 25, 1960, to apply for a GI loan. The law allows up to a year after that date to complete the deal.