Apply for VRAP Program, But Be Careful of Scam

All unemployed veterans need to take advantage of Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), which allows qualifying veterans between ages of 35 and 60 to receive up to 12 months of education assistance. 

It’s a tremendous opportunity for veterans in need of education and training to compete for high-demand jobs. The program offers maximum payments equal to the full-time rate for the Montgomery GI Bill.  

But be careful in applying for the program.

The VA reports that there’s a potential scam targeting those who have either signed up or have been approved for VRAP. Here’s how the VA explains it:

“A veteran has reported receiving a call from someone named ‘James’ who congratulated him on his VRAP approval. He advised him that he knew the exact amount he was approved for and that the $8500 would be directly deposited into his account within 45 minutes of him giving his banking account number and routing number and paying $205 for the service fee.

This person is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA will never charge you to access your benefits or ask you to provide private information over the phone.”

Again, be sure to apply for VRAP today.

According to the VA, the program 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.

To learn more about eligibility and to sign up for VRAP, click here.

Justin Wells is the director of operations for Veterans Support Organization.