Veteran Priority of Service

Veterans and eligible spouses, including widows and widowers are eligible for priority of service. This means that veterans or eligible spouses must receive access to Workforce Resource services earlier in time than non-veterans. It also means that when monies are limited, a veterans or eligible spouses must receive financial assistance before non-veterans. Veteran preference applies to all federally funded programs including, but not limited to, NEG and SRR grants, Wagner/Peyser (Job Service) and WIA (monies disbursed from Workforce Development Boards).

Definition of Veteran

• A veteran is an individual who served at least one day in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable, which may include National Guard or Reserve personnel, or

• The spouse of any of the following individuals:

  • Any veteran who died of a service-connected disability;

  • Any member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who, at the time of application for assistance under this section, is listed, pursuant to section 556 of title 38 and regulations issued there under, by the Secretary concerned in one or more of the following categories and has been so listed for a total of more than 90 days:

    • Missing in Action

    • Captured in line of duty by hostile force, or

    • Forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power;

  • Any veteran who has a total disability resulting from a service-connected disability; or

  • Any veteran who died while a disability so evaluated was in existence.

• A Military Spouse (including Widows and Widowers) is an individual who is married to an active duty service member including National Guard or Reserve personnel on active duty.

For additional information on Veteran Priority of Service or how to get information on assistance that may be available to you, contact your local Job Center.