FAQs

No. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply for positions when agencies are accepting applications as a 30% or more disabled veteran.

You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable along with supporting documentation showing a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.

You may file a complaint with the Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service.  This is the agency designated by law, to investigate violations of veterans’ preference.  Information on how to file a complaint may be found at: http://www.dol.gov/elaws/vetspref.htm

Veterans' preference does not apply to internal agency actions such as promotions, transfers, reassignments and reinstatements.

If you are claiming veterans’ preference based on a service-connected disability, receipt of a Purple Heart or derived preference you may be required to submit a SF-15 along with supporting documentation.

Agencies develop their own procedures for interview practices. The decision to interview may depend on a variety of factors, including your ranking against other candidates, the number of positions being filled, and the number of people who applied.

You must provide acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If eligibility is based on a service-connected disability, you will need to submit a Standard Form 15 "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference", along with the appropriate documentation. A fillable SF-15 is available at https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf.

Preference eligibles are divided into five basic groups as follows:

1. CPS - Disability rating of 30% or more (10 points)
2. CP - Disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30% (10 points)
3. XP - Disability rating less than 10% (10 points)
4. TP - Preference eligibles with no disability rating (5 points)
5. SSP - Sole Survivorship Preference (0 points)

These codes are used to designate on rating sheets and certificates the category of veterans’ preference to which an applicant is entitled.

No. You may not receive veterans’ preference in Federal employment as the spouse of a veteran if the veteran is living and qualified for Federal employment.

The agency may identify these as specific individuals from which it will accept applications to compete for its vacancy. When a job opportunity announcement is open to “All Sources,” or “All U.S. Citizens,” it means anyone may apply. While there are no restrictions on the individuals who may apply to these types of announcements, in most cases, U.S. citizenship is required.   “Status Applicants” or “Status Candidates” refers to those individuals who are current or former Federal civilian employees who hold or held non-temporary appointments in the competitive service, not the excepted service.   NOTE: Certain veterans eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) may also apply and be considered under job opportunity announcements limited to status candidates. For information on VEOA eligibility, please visit: https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx#veoa.   Reinstatement eligibility refers to the ability of those individuals who previously held a career or career-conditional appointment to apply for jobs in the competitive civil service that are open to status applicants. There is no time limit on reinstatement eligibility for those who either have veterans' preference, or acquired career tenure by completing 3 years of substantially continuous creditable service.

No. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply for positions when agencies are accepting applications under VRA.

As a Federal employee with a specific question as it relates to your personal circumstance, please contact your agency human resources office for additional information.  Your agency is in the best position to answer your specific questions.

Yes. There are number of special appointing authorities not specific to veterans such as Pathways (for students and recent graduates), Schedule A for Persons with Disabilities, etc. However, the most common special appointing authorities for veterans are the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA), 30% or more disabled veteran and Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).  The veteran should apply under any special hiring authorities for which he or she is eligible.

It depends. Spouses may be eligible when the veteran has a service-connected disability and has been unable to qualify for any position in the civil service.

Maybe.  If you meet the criteria for veterans’ preference in absence of disability then yes, you can claim veterans’ preference. However, if eligibility for veterans’ preference is contingent upon a service-connected disability rating, then no.