US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

38 U.S.C. § 3117

Employment assistance

(a)
(1)
29 U.S.C. 701 A veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 10 percent or more who has participated in a vocational rehabilitation program under this chapter or a similar program under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( et seq.) and who the Secretary has determined to be employable shall be furnished assistance in obtaining employment consistent with such veteran’s abilities, aptitudes, interests, and employment handicap, including assistance necessary to insure that such veteran receives the benefit of any applicable provisions of law or regulation providing for special consideration or emphasis or preference for such veteran in employment or training.
(2)
Assistance provided under this subsection may include—
(A)
direct placement of such veteran in employment;
(B)
utilization of employment, training, and placement services under chapter 41 of this title; and
(C)
utilization of the job development and placement services of (i) programs under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, (ii) the State employment service and the Veterans’ Employment Service of the Department of Labor, (iii) the Office of Personnel Management, (iv) any other public or nonprofit organization having placement services available, and (v) any for-profit entity in a case in which the Secretary has determined that services necessary to provide such assistance are available from such entity and that comparably effective services are not available, or cannot be obtained cost-effectively, from the entities described in subclauses (i) through (iv) of this subparagraph.
(b)
(1)
15 U.S.C. 633(b)(1) In any case in which a veteran has completed a vocational rehabilitation program for self-employment in a small business enterprise under this chapter, the Secretary shall assist such veteran in securing, as appropriate, a loan under subchapter IV of chapter 37 of this title and shall cooperate with the Small Business Administration to assist such veteran to secure a loan for the purchase of equipment needed to establish such veteran’s own business and to ensure that such veteran receives the special consideration provided for in section 4(b)(1) of the Small Business Act ().
(2)
section 3104(a) of this title In the case of a veteran described in paragraph (12) of who has trained under a State rehabilitation program with the objective of self-employment in a small business enterprise, the Secretary may, subject to the limitations and criteria provided for in such paragraph, provide such veteran with such supplementary equipment and initial stocks and supplies as are determined to be needed by such veteran if such supplementary equipment and initial stocks and supplies, or assistance in acquiring them, are not available through the State program or other sources.

Pub. L. 96–466, title I, § 101(a)94 Stat. 2183 Pub. L. 97–72, title III, § 303(k)95 Stat. 1060 Pub. L. 100–689, title II, § 202(a)102 Stat. 4175 Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 423(b)(1)(A)103 Stat. 2092 Pub. L. 102–54, § 14(c)(4)105 Stat. 285 Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)105 Stat. 406 Pub. L. 104–275, title I, § 101(h)110 Stat. 3325 Pub. L. 107–288, § 4(e)(2)116 Stat. 2044 Pub. L. 109–233, title V, § 503(6)120 Stat. 416 Pub. L. 117–333, § 14(c)136 Stat. 6135 (Added , , , § 1517; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 3117 and amended , (c)(1), , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 93–11287 Stat. 355 section 701 of Title 29The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), (2)(C)(i), is , , , which is classified principally to chapter 16 (§ 701 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Prior Provisions

section 5317 of this titlePrior section 3117 was renumbered .

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–333, § 14(c)(1)2023—Subsec. (a)(2)(C). , substituted “this subparagraph” for “this clause”.

Pub. L. 117–333, § 14(c)(2)(A)Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “ensure” for “insure”.

Pub. L. 117–333, § 14(c)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “paragraph” for “clause” in two places.

Pub. L. 109–2332006—Subsec. (b)(1). substituted “section 4(b)(1)” for “section 8” and “633(b)(1)” for “633(b)”.

Pub. L. 107–288section 4103A of this title2002—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “utilization of the services of disabled veterans outreach program specialists under ; and”.

Pub. L. 104–2751996—Subsec. (a)(1). inserted “rated at 10 percent or more” after “disability”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)section 1517 of this title1991—, renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 102–54, § 14(c)(4)(A)29 U.S.C. 701Subsec. (a)(1). , inserted “( et seq.)” after “1973”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1)Subsec. (a)(2)(B). , substituted “4103A” for “2003A”.

Pub. L. 102–54, § 14(c)(4)(B)Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(v). , struck out second period at end.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1)Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “3104(a)” for “1504(a)”.

Pub. L. 101–2371989—Subsecs. (a)(1), (2)(C), (b). substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 100–6891988—Subsec. (a)(2)(C). struck out “and” at end of subcl. (iii), substituted “available, and” for “available” in subcl. (iv), and added subcl. (v).

Pub. L. 97–721981—Subsec. (b)(1). inserted provision requiring the Administrator to assist veterans in securing, as appropriate, a loan under subchapter IV of chapter 37 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–72section 305 of Pub. L. 97–72section 3741 of this titleAmendment by effective at end of 180-day period beginning on , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Effective Date

section 802(a)(1) of Pub. L. 96–466section 3100 of this titleSection effective , see , set out as a note under .