Hiring Benefits

VETERAN HIRING PREFERENCES

FEDERAL HIRING PREFERENCES

Both the federal government and state governments offer hiring preferences to veterans. Veterans can receive 10-point, 5-point or 0-point preference based on their service history, disability, and other factors. 

10-point preference:
Typically awarded to disabled veterans (with a 30% rating for a service-connected disability), Purple Heart recipients, and those meeting specific service criteria. 

5-point preference:
Often given to veterans who served during certain war periods or in specific campaigns. 

0-point preference:
if you were released or discharged from a period of active duty from the armed forces, after August 29, 2008, by reason of being the only surviving child in a family.

How the Preference is Applied:
In the competitive service, when agencies use a numerical rating and ranking system to determine the best qualified applicants for a position, an additional 5 or 10 points are added to the numerical score of qualified preference eligible veterans.

How to Claim Preference:
You’ll need to provide documentation such as your DD-214, SF-15 (if claiming 10-point preference), or other qualifying documents.  You will also need a letter from the VA reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center or online. You will upload these documents when you apply for a federal job at USAJOBS.GOV.

STATES HIRING PREFERENCES
Most states only have a 5 or 10-point hiring preference. Veterans with an honorable discharge and no service-connected disability are offered a 5-point hiring preference. Veterans with a service-connected disability are offered a 10-point hiring preference.

When applying for states hiring preferences you will need your DD-214 and a letter from the VA reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center or online. Visit the individual states hiring preference page and follow their instructions on how to apply.

See the INDIVIDUAL STATES HIRING PREFERENCE PROGRAMS