• The Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE) provides free online cybersecurity training to veterans. 

• NPower's virtual Tech Fundamentals program is a free workshop that teaches veterans, reservists, and military spouses IT basics. The curriculum for this program includes an IT Support Certificate courtesy of Google. Courses are offered in both a 16-week and 23-week schedule. Applications are considered on a rolling basis until the class is filled.

• BreakLine provides education and coaching for veterans interested in pursuing careers in the tech industry. Participants attend 4 to 6 hours of programming a week alongside a cohort of peers. Sessions include hands-on workshops, in-depth discussions with industry leaders, and an inside look at top tech companies. 

• The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) offers education and training for high-demand jobs to veterans who are unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. VRRAP covers up to 12 months of tuition, fees, and a monthly housing allowance. To be eligible for this program, you must meet all the requirements listed below: 

- at least 22 years old, but not older than 66, and
- unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and
- not rated as totally disabled because you can't work, and
- not enrolled in a federal or state jobs program

Please note: You can't receive VRRAP benefits at the same time as you're receiving unemployment benefits (including CARES Act benefits).

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: If I'm eligible for other education benefits or VR&E, can I get VRRAP benefits?

A: No. At the time you apply for VRRAP, you can’t be eligible for any of these other benefits:

- Post-9/11 GI Bill

- Montgomery GI Bill

- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)

- Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

Please Note: You can get VRRAP benefits if you were at one time eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill but you’ve transferred all of your benefits to family members.

Q: What types of education and training programs does VRRAP cover?

A: VRRAP covers education and training programs approved under the GI Bill and Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) that lead to high-demand jobs. These include associate degrees, non-college degrees, and certificate programs. The Department of Labor determines what’s considered a high-demand job for VRRAP.

Q: What benefits can I get through this program?

A: If you’re eligible for VRRAP, you can get:

- Up to 12 months of tuition and fees, and 

- A monthly housing allowance based on Post-9/11 GI Bill rates

Q: How can I find participating schools? 

A: For veterans: Check the list of schools participating in VRRAP. For schools: See the information and forms you’ll need to participate in VRRAP.

Q: How long will this program be available?

A: VRRAP will be available until December 11, 2022 or when the VA reaches either the $386 million funding limit or the 17,250 participant limit. 

Q: What if I have other questions?

A: Call 888-442-4551 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Q: How do I apply?

A: Apply for VRRAP education benefits

• EmpireVets
  In 2019, DVS partnered with the GI GO Fund to develop EmpireVets, a job board and professional development website designed for New York City veterans and their family members. The website includes thousands of job postings and a military skills translator to help veterans find the right position.


• NYC Small Business Services Job Board
  Small business throughout New York City post job opportunities listed on NYC's Small Business Services job board.


• Civil Service Opportunities
  Explore job opportunities in government on NYC's civil service job board.


• Jobs for People with Disabilities
  NYC: AtWork is New York City's job board designed for people with disabilities.


• NYC Veteran Alliance Job Board
  The NYC Veteran Alliance job board includes opportunities for veterans.


• New York State Job Bank
  View the official New York state job board.


• USA Jobs
  Search and apply for federal jobs. 

• VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
  The VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program is designed to assist veterans with service-connected disabilities to obtain suitable employment and/or achieve independent living goals.


• NYC Small Business Services Access Training
  NYC SBS offers training programs for in-demand occupations across sectors remotely and at different locations throughout the city.


• NYC Department for the Aging Senior Job Placement Program
  The NYC Department for the Aging's Senior Employment Program has placed New Yorkers over the age of 55 in jobs in data processing, administrative work, customer service, security services, airport services, home care, and more.


• New York Library Career Resources
  The New York Science, Industry, and Business Library (SIBL) is offering the following free virtual career services.
  
  Career Workshops with Professional Coaching: Online sessions with Career Coaches to help get your resume ready and improve your networking and interviewing skills.
  
  Online Video Tutorials: Video training tutorials in various skills including Microsoft, Adobe, HTML, salary negotiation, interviewing skills, business writing.
  
  Career Cruising: Review resume samples, career guides, and professional assessments to discover your transferable skills.


• The Spouse Education and Career Opportunity program provides military spouses with resources to create an academic plan, search for scholarships, develop their resume, and find the right career.

• OurVeteransNYC, the NYC Veteran Alliance event page, includes upcoming job fairs and hiring events.

• The VA's Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) will pay for unemployed veterans who have exhausted or transferred their GI Bill Benefits to attend a vocational training program for up to twelve months. 

• Connect to organizations looking to match veterans with professional mentors.

New York State Department of Labor

File an unemployment insurance claim, learn about pandemic unemployment assistance, and certify weekly benefits at the NYS Department of Labor website.

United States Department of Labor

The US Department of Labor offers Coronavirus resources for workers and employers and disaster unemployment assistance.

Unemployment Benefits FAQ

If you have questions about unemployment benefits visit ACCESSNYC's Frequently Asked Questions page for answers.

Legal Aid

The Volunteers of Legal Service's (VOLS) Unemployed Workers Project provides free legal advice to low-wage and unemployed workers who are seeking government benefits. If you need support accessing benefits, call the Unemployed Workers Project hotline at 347-521-5720 or fill out the VOLS Unemployed Workers Interest Form.

For additional information regarding Unemployment contact DVS Engagement Coordinator:
Amauri Espinal
646-799-2728
aespinal@veterans.nyc.gov

The NYC Mayor's Office of the Chief Technology Officer has developed a toolkit to help New Yorkers make the most of working from home. The advice and tips in this toolkit have been drawn from a variety of sources with expert knowledge in working from home best practices. See the toolkit.