Transition Assistance Program (TAP):

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) was established to meet the needs of separating service members during their period of transition into civilian life by offering job-search assistance and related services.

The law creating TAP established a partnership among the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Transportation and the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), to give employment and training information to armed forces members within 180 days of separation or retirement.

TAP helps service members and their spouses make the initial transition from military service to the civilian workplace with less difficulty and at less overall cost to the government. An independent national evaluation of the program estimated that service members who had participated in TAP, on average, found their first post-military job three weeks sooner than those who did not participate in TAP.

TAP consists of comprehensive three-day workshops at selected military installations nationwide. Professionally-trained workshop facilitators from the State Employment Services, military family support services, Department of Labor contractors, or VETS’ staff present the workshops.

Workshop attendees learn about job searches, career decision-making, current occupational and labor market conditions, and resume and cover letter preparation and interviewing techniques. Participants also are provided with an evaluation of their employability relative to the job market and receive information on the most current veterans’ benefits.

Click here to use our TAP Office Locator

Disabled Transition Assistance Program.

DTAP is an integral component of transition assistance that involves intervening on behalf of service members who may be released because of a disability or who believe they have a disability qualifying them for VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E). The goal of DTAP is to encourage and assist potentially eligible service members in making an informed decision about VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program. It is also intended to facilitate the expeditious delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to eligible persons by assisting them in filing an application for vocational rehabilitation benefits.

DTAP presentations are generally group sessions that include a comprehensive discussion of VA's Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program and educational/vocational counseling available to separating service members and veterans. Usually, the VA Regional Office VR&E Officer will coordinate DTAP sessions for those service members who are hospitalized, convalescing, or receiving outpatient treatment for a disability and who are unable to attend a DTAP group session. DTAP sessions may include a review of a service- members medical records.

The amount of time available to conduct DTAP presentations may vary among military installations.

VA Disability Benefits

• Medical Care: The VA provides medical care for disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities. The VA makes an important distinction among veterans based on the nature of their disability. This distinction, service-connected or non-service connected, determines the cost and availability of VA medical services. Any veteran who was disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service in the line of duty will receive VA medical care on a "mandatory" basis. In general, this means that service will be provided as needed, at no cost to the veteran. Any veteran whose disability originated outside of active service will receive VA medical care on a "discretionary" basis. The VA generally provides medical care to those in the discretionary category on a space-available basis, so long as the veteran agrees to make a copayment. Contact the VA for more information or visit their web site at http://www.va.gov/vbs/health/index.htm.
   
• CHAMPVA: The VA's Civilian Health and Medical Program helps pay for medical services and supplies that veterans' family members and survivors obtain from civilian sources. To qualify, family members and survivors must not be eligible for Medicare or CHAMPUS. Contact the VA for more information or read the on-line CHAMPVA Handbook at http://www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/champva/handbook.asp.
   
• Disability Compensation: The VA pays monetary benefits to veterans who were disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service in the line of duty. In order to obtain a VA disability rating, you must file a claim with the VA, using VA Form 21-526, Veterans Application for Compensation or Pension. This serves to notify the VA about your health problems, so that service-connected disabilities can be evaluated. There is no time limit to apply for VA disability compensation. However, you are encouraged to apply within one year of your release from active duty as entitlement is established retroactively to the date of separation if your claim is filed within this period. The effective date of eligibility for benefits will be based upon the date of your claim if you apply beyond the one-year period or visit their web site at http://www.vba.va.gov/.
   
• Vocational Rehabilitation: The VA's Vocational Rehabilitation program provides services and assistance necessary for service-connected disabled veterans to achieve independence and to obtain and maintain suitable employment. Vocational Rehabilitation can include college, technical school or on-the-job training or special training at rehabilitation facilities or at home when it is necessary because of a serious disability. Vocational Rehabilitation services include, in part, assessment, counseling, training, subsistence allowances and employment assistance. VA also will assist you in job placement. While you are enrolled in a Vocational Rehabilitation program, VA pays the cost of tuition, fees, required books, supplies and equipment. VA also may pay for special supportive services such as medical and dental care, prosthetic devices, lip-reading training, and signing for the deaf. For more information contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or visit their web site at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm.
   
• Disabled Veterans Insurance: If you are in good health, except for a service-connected disability, you may apply for up to $10,000 in life insurance coverage at standard insurance rates. You must apply within two years from the date you are notified that your disability has been rated as service connected. If you are totally disabled, you may apply for up to $20,000 in life insurance coverage. Your premiums on the first $10,000 in coverage will be waived. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or visit their web site at http://www.vba.va.gov/.

Click here to use our TAP Office Locator

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