VR&E Subsistence Allowance Rates

Updated: January 17, 2024
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    These are the 2024 Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) subsistence rates. Veterans participating in the program may receive a monthly subsistence allowance while pursuing an education or training program in preparation for a future career. The VR&E subsistence allowance rate is based on the rate of attendance, number of dependents and type of training. (The rate of attendance may be full-time, ¾-time or ½-time.)

    Veterans who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill may be eligible to receive the basic allowance for housing rate, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    Post-9/11 Chapter 31 Subsistence Allowance Rates — Effective Oct. 1, 2023 (Based on 6.2% Consumer Price Index Increase)

    Type of TrainingTraining TimeNo DependentsOne DependentTwo DependentsEach Additional Dependent
    Institutional; nonpay or nominal pay work experience in a facility of a federal, state, local or tribal agency; improvement of rehabilitation programFull-time$768.42$953.15$1,123.23$81.85
    Âľ time$577.38$715.90$839.78$62.97
    ½ time$386.32$478.66$562.64$42.00
    ÂĽ time*$193.14$239.36$281.32$20.95
    Nonpay or nominal pay on-job training in a facility of a federal, state, local or tribal agency; training in the home; vocational course in a rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop; independent instructorFull-time only$768.42$953.15$1,123.23$81.85
    Farm co-operative, apprenticeship or other on-job training**Full-time only$671.84$812.47$926.35$60.89
    Combination of institutional and on-job training (institutional greater than ½); non-farm co-operative institutional training and non-farm co-operative on-job training (FT non-farm co-op/institutional)Full-time only$768.42$953.15$1,123.23$81.85
    Combination of institutional and on-job training (on-the-job greater than ½); non-farm co-operative institutional training and non-farm co-operative on-job training (FT non-farm co-op/on-the-job)Full-time only$768.42$953.15$1,123.23$81.85

    Veterans who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill or the Forever GI Bill may be eligible to receive the basic allowance for housing rate for subsistence.Annual increases are based on the consumer price index.

    VR&E subsistence allowance will automatically adjust with the new cost-of-living adjustment rate within VA’s electronic subsistence allowance system, effective Oct. 1, 2023. If you are pursuing an educational or training program, you will receive an increase in your subsistence allowance rate.

    Since the VA pays a subsistence allowance for training that veterans completed in the previous month, the first payment at these rates is reflected in the Nov. 1, 2023 disbursement.

    In 2021, the VA modified the 48-month rule that previously deducted VR&E benefits from the GI Bill benefits available to veterans. Now, the VA will not deduct VR&E from the benefits of veterans who choose to use VR&E benefits ahead of any GI Bill benefits. Learn more about these changes before you apply for either benefit.

    Note: Effective Oct. 1, 2023, the maximum monthly rate is $3,251.38. This is  based on full-time enrollment for a veteran with the following dependents: spouse, mother, father and 25 children.

    Veterans who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill or the Forever GI Bill may be eligible to receive the basic allowance for housing rate for subsistence.

    Annual increases are based on the consumer price index.

    VR&E subsistence allowance will automatically adjust with the new cost-of-living adjustment rate within VA’s electronic subsistence allowance system. New amounts go into effect October 1 annually. If you are pursuing an educational or training program, you will receive an increase in your subsistence allowance rate.

    Written by Veteran.com Team