January 16, 2015

Higher Unemployment Rate for Older Veterans

From 2000 to 2013, older veterans were more likely to be unemployed than their younger counterparts, according to a recent U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs report. Sixty per cent of the unemployed veterans were over age 45 and nearly a third served after 2001.
 
The report provided other measures of veteran unemployment. Veterans between 18 and 54 had similar or slightly lower unemployment rates than their civilian counterparts. And Gulf War veterans comprised over 50% of all unemployed veterans. The unemployment rate for the latest generation of veterans fell to 5.7% in November, down from 9.9% a year ago.  The national unemployment rate was 5.8% in November.


Connecticut has several programs to help veterans find jobs. For example, veterans can request an appointment with a state Department of Labor veterans’ specialist to obtain information about employment programs and workshops. Employment services include the Subsidized Training and Employment Program for Veterans (Step Up for Vets), which provides wage subsidies to employers who hire unemployed veterans. The Connecticut Post reports that 22 employers have participated in the program, providing jobs to 39 unemployed veterans.