Veterans Employment Services

Workforce Solutions East Texas is honored to assist veterans in their quest to return to the workforce.   If you're a veteran, Workforce Solutions East Texas can help you realize your post-service employment dreams through our comprehensive, customized Career Services.

We can help you find out what salaries are paid historically in the region, identify which skills are in demand, find out what industries are prominent in the area and assist you with training.  And, through our Job Matching services, your job application will be quickly and easily linked to the region's employers seeking employees with your qualifications.

Whether you left the armed forces 10 days ago or 10 years ago, your employment needs receive our immediate attention. Workforce Solutions East Texas staff includes veterans who are able to help you with the process of re-entering the civilian workforce.

Check the following sources for helpful information regarding veterans’ issues:

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TO RE-EMPLOYMENT
Veterans are entitled to re-employment rights with their last employer when they are released from the Armed Forces of the United States, providing their absence is not longer than four years. The right of re-employment is available regardless of whether the veteran was, prior to service, employed by the state, county or city government, or by private industry.

FYI FOR STATE-EMPLOYED VETERANS
Non-retired veterans employed by the State of Texas are entitled to claim their active duty military time for up to 60 months of military credit towards retirement. Eligible veterans must present a proper request and pay into the retirement system. Such contribution is paid at the rate which was applicable at the time the employed veteran was first covered by the state retirement system, plus any accrued interest.

VETERANS BENEFITS

Education
More job skills lead to more job opportunities, and Workforce Solutions East Texas can help you find financial aid for education. One example is the Pell Grant, a federal grant awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. A number of other education benefits are also available to veterans who qualify, such as those provided through the Montgomery GI Bill and the Hazelwood Act for Texas veterans.
www.gibill.va.gov
www.tvc.state.tx.us (PDF)

Home Financing
The Texas Veterans Land Board offers veterans low interest loans for land, homes and home improvements. For more information, go to www.tvc.state.tx.us/vlb.htm.

Also, the Texas State Veterans Cemetery (TSVC) can help with burial cost for veterans. Contact TSVC at www.texasveterans.org for more information.

Tax Exemption
Disabled veterans who meet certain requirements, their surviving spouses and the spouses and minor children of a person who dies on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for property tax exemptions on the appraised value of their property. For more information, contact www.tvc.state.tx.us/morebens.htm.

Counseling and Advocacy
The Texas Veterans Commission provides free, professional benefits counseling and advocacy through state and county veterans service officers. They can assist you in applying for numerous VA benefit programs and health care services. Call the Texas Veterans Hotline at 1-800-252-VETS (8387) for more information.

Priority Health Care for Disabled Veterans
All veterans with service-connected medical problems will receive priority access to health care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under a new directive.

The new directive provides that all veterans requiring care for a service-connected disability, regardless of the extent of their injury, must be scheduled for a primary care evaluation within 30 days of their request for care. If a VA facility is unable to schedule an appointment within 30 days, it must arrange for care at another VA facility, at a contract facility or through a sharing agreement.

The directive covers hospitalization and outpatient care. It does not apply to care for medical problems not related to a service-connected disability. However, veterans needing emergency care will be treated immediately.

The new provision is an extension of rules that took effect in October 2002 for severely disabled veterans. Under the earlier rule, priority access to health care went to veterans with disabilities rated at 50 percent or more. For the severely disabled, the priority includes care for non-service-connected medical problems.

E-laws
The U.S. Department of Labor has developed several laws and online guides to help employees and employers understand their rights and responsibilities under numerous federal employment laws. E-laws are detailed online at www.dol.gov/elaws.

The Veterans’ Preference Advisor
The advisor allows veterans to examine the preferences for which they might be entitled with regard to federal jobs. It was developed by the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
USERRA provides reemployment protection and other benefits for veterans. In addition, USERRA helps veterans understand employee eligibility and job entitlements, employer obligations, and benefits available to veterans through the act. If you have any additional questions about veterans benefits, Workforce Solutions East Texas' veterans counselor will be happy to assist you.

Department of Veterans Affairs
www.va.gov
Texas Veterans Commission
www.tvc.state.tx.us
Texas Veterans Online
www.veterans.texasonline.com

Texas Veterans HOTLINE
1-800-252-VETS (8387)