Key Facts:
Fact 1:
The weighted estimate of the number of US military veterans is 18.3 million, of which 1.6 million are women.Fact 2:
While 21.8% of US military Veterans have a service-connected disability, and 34.1% of those Veterans have a 70% or higher disability rating, many Veterans do not have a service-connected disability or would not be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).Fact 3:
A higher percentage of female veterans (25.1%) reported service-connected disabilities than male veterans (22.8%).Fact 4:
Approximately 100,000 veterans received vocational rehabilitation services from the VA in FY 2017, even though 9.8 million veterans used at least one VA benefit or service the same year.Fact 5:
According to the VA, only 44.2% of veterans are employed, which is lower than all non-Veterans (61.2%).Fact 6:
Minority veterans were less likely to live in poverty compared to non-veteran minorities.16% of the homeless population are veterans although only 10% of the total population is veterans, meaning that veterans are overrepresented among the homeless population. Employment is important for veterans with disabilities.
Recommended Readings:
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2019a). Verification Assistance Brief (pdf).
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2019b). Profile of Veterans: 2017 (pdf).
- Learn about eligibility requirements for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E).