Federal Employment Benefits for Veterans
Pro Tip: Veterans get preference points in federal hiring. Disabled veterans get more points. If you're applying for federal jobs without claiming your veteran status, you're competing with one hand tied behind your back.
Veterans Preference in Hiring
Veterans can gain competitive advantages when applying for federal positions through the USAJOBS portal, though certain roles offered under Direct Hire authority may not provide this benefit.
Point Categories
0-Points (SSP) Applies to those discharged via "sole survivorship discharge" after August 29, 2008. While minimal, this ranks veterans ahead of non-preference candidates with identical examination scores.
5-Points (TP) Available to veterans who served during wartime, specific peacetime periods (April 28, 1952–July 1, 1955), or received campaign medals (El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, Haiti).
10-Point Disability Preference (XP) Requires a combined disability rating of at least 0% or receipt of a Purple Heart.
10-Point Compensable Disability Preference (CP) Requires a 10–20% combined disability rating.
10-Point 30% Compensable Disability Preference (CPS) Requires a combined disability rating of at least 30%.
Military Service Deposit (Buying Back Time/Retirement)
Honorably discharged veterans can "buy back" active duty time toward federal retirement, except retirees unless they were medically retired or waive military retirement.
Key Requirements
- Military retirement waivers are permitted
- Buyback must complete six months before civilian retirement
- Interest accrues after a two-year employment pause
Process
- Complete form RI 20-97 with DD-214
- Submit to your military branch
- Complete SF 3108 with HR assistance
- Choose lump-sum or installment payment
- Request "Paid-In-Full Letter" for record-keeping
Service Credit Toward Leave Rate Accrual
| Leave Per Pay Period | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| 4 hours | Less than 3 years |
| 6 hours | 3–15 years |
| 8 hours | Over 15 years |
Non-retired veterans can have active duty credited toward civilian service to improve leave accrual, provided the agency determines military skills are "essential to the new position."
Disabled Veteran Leave (DVL)
Newly hired veterans with service-connected disabilities receive up to 104 hours of paid sick leave during their first employment year.
Eligibility Requirements: - Minimum 30% combined disability rating - Within one year of first federal civilian employment
Documentation: Obtain a Veterans Benefit Letter via VA.gov's Letter Generator showing combined rating.
Unused leave expires at year-end.
Increased Reduction in Force (RIF) Protection
Veterans receive elevated protection during layoffs based on: - Medical retirement status - Length of service (military time counts for non-retirees) - 30% disability rating with acceptable performance
Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)/Paid Parental Leave (PPL)
Honorable active duty service (excluding Coast Guard and IADT) counts toward the 12-month federal employment requirement, enabling eligible veterans to access these benefits with combined military-civilian service totaling 12+ months.