The letter
Page 1 says vocational rehabilitation can help you get and keep a good job, with monthly payments while training that are over and above any VA compensation, military retirement, or separation pay.
28-0588
VA Vocational Rehabilitation—Getting Ahead After You Get Out
- Agency
- VA
- Revision
- December 2000
- Fillable fields
- 4
- Pages
- 2
- Official source
- VA form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
VA Form 28-0588: VA Vocational Rehabilitation, Getting Ahead After You Get Out
VA Form 28-0588 is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs letter titled Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Getting Ahead After You Get Out. It is addressed to servicepersons awaiting discharge who may have a disability, and it tells them about VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program and how to apply.
The form is two pages. Page 1 is the letter, with the steps to apply. Page 2 describes the program's goals, services, qualifications, period of eligibility and types of training, and ends with a Notice to VA Veterans Service Center that the service member or Veteran signs and attaches to the application, VA Form 28-1900. The letter is dated DEC 2000. VA's form page lists VA Form 28-1900 as the Application for Veteran Readiness and Employment for Claimants with Service-Connected Disabilities.
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What's on VA Form 28-0588
How to apply
Four steps: complete VA Form 28-1900, sign and date the notice, send both or hand them in, then meet a VA counselor at an appointment VA sets up.
Services and assistance
A chart lists counseling and evaluation, training, a monthly subsistence allowance while training, tutors, readers or sign-language interpreters, job placement, tuition, fees, books and supplies, medical and dental treatment and prosthetic aids, and independent living training.
Qualifications and training
Page 2 also sets out the program's qualifications, the period of eligibility, and the types of training, from college-level education and trade school to apprenticeship, self-employment and training at home.
Notice to VA Veterans Service Center
The name of the service member or Veteran, the VA file number, a signature and the date.
How the letter says to apply
- 1
Complete VA Form 28-1900
The letter says this may be done before leaving active duty.
- 2
Sign and date the notice
Fill in your name and VA file number on the Notice to VA Veterans Service Center on the back of the letter, then sign and date it.
- 3
Send or hand in both
Send VA Form 28-1900 and the notice to the nearest VA regional office, or give them to a VA staff member at any military discharge center.
- 4
Meet with a counselor
The letter says VA will set up an appointment with a counselor, who will review your situation, determine entitlement to rehabilitation benefits and discuss options.
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Where it goes and getting help
Where to send it
The letter says to send VA Form 28-1900 and the notice to the nearest VA regional office or give them to a VA staff member at any military discharge center.
Questions
The letter says to call 1-800-827-1000 and ask for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Division.
More reading
The letter mentions VA Pamphlet 28-00-1, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program Working Partners.
Edition
Both pages are dated DEC 2000, and VA's form page lists a revision date of December 2000. The form prints no OMB number.
Related forms
28-1900
Application for Veteran Readiness and Employment for Claimants with Service-Connected Disabilities
41 fields, 3 pages
28-1902w
Information for Veteran Readiness and Employment Entitlement Determination
128 fields, 8 pages
27-8832
Personalized Career Planning and Guidance/Chapter 36 (VA Form 27-8832)
80 fields, 4 pages
Who uses VA Form 28-0588?
The letter says who it is for, and the notice says who signs it and where it goes.
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Questions about Form 28-0588
What is VA Form 28-0588?
It is a VA letter to servicepersons awaiting discharge who may have a disability, describing the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program, with a Notice to VA Veterans Service Center on the back.
Is VA Form 28-0588 the application?
No. The letter says to complete VA Form 28-1900 and send it together with the signed notice from VA Form 28-0588.
What does the notice ask VA to do?
It says it is attached to an application for vocational rehabilitation under chapter 31 of title 38, and asks VA to prepare a memorandum rating if this will speed the eligibility determination.
Can I apply before leaving active duty?
The letter says VA Form 28-1900 may be completed before you leave active duty, and that you may even start rehabilitation before you leave active duty.
How old is this letter?
The letter is dated DEC 2000 and uses the program name of that time. VA's form page lists VA Form 28-1900 as the Application for Veteran Readiness and Employment for Claimants with Service-Connected Disabilities.