How to Use Veteran's Preference Points to Your Advantage

Many Veterans are able to take advantage of what’s called "preference points" because of their service to our country. The Veteran's Preference Point program gives certain Veterans, depending on a number of criteria, an edge when applying for a civil service job with the Federal Government.

In accordance with the program, those who are disabled or who served on active duty during certain specified time periods are entitled, by law, to receive preference over non-veterans both in hiring from competitive lists of eligible hires and in retention during reductions in force.

The goal of preference isn’t to place Veterans in every vacant federal job position. Rather, it provides a uniform method to give qualified Veterans a hand up in seeking employment.

Let’s take a closer look at how Veterans can utilize preference points to get a civil service job.

Veterans Preference Eligibility

To be entitled to preference, a Veteran must meet the eligibility requirements in section 2108 of title 5, United States Code.

Veterans should claim preference on their federal job application or resume. Veterans claiming a 10-point preference should complete an application for 10-point Veteran Preference or Form SF-15.

Types of Veterans Preference Points

Veterans who qualify for Veterans Preference Points based on their service will receive either 5 or 10 points on their civil service examination or experience and education evaluation. These points can place you higher on the list than other applicants

5-Point Preference Qualifications

Five points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a Veteran who served in any of the following:

• During a war
• During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955
• For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955 and before October 15, 1976
• During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990 through January 2, 1992
• For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001 and ending on the date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law as the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom
• In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia and Haiti

A campaign medal holder or Gulf War Veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980 (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982 and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty.

The 24-month service requirement does not apply to 10-point preference eligibles separated for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or to veterans separated for hardship or other reasons under 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173.

10-Point Preference Qualifications

Ten points are added to the passing examination score of the following:

• A Veteran who served any time and who (1) has a present service-connected disability or (2) is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits or pension from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Individuals who received a Purple Heart qualify as disabled Veterans.
• An unmarried spouse of certain deceased Veterans, a spouse of a Veteran unable to work because of a service-connected disability
• A mother of a Veteran who died in service or who is permanently and totally disabled

How Does Veterans Preference Work

If you separated from the military with an honorable or general discharge and achieved a score of 70 or higher, you can have points added to your score.

For scientific and professional positions in grade GS-9 or higher, names of all eligible characters are listed in order of ratings, augmented by Veteran preference. For all other positions, the names of 10-point preference candidates who have a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are placed ahead of the names of all other eligible candidates on a given register. The names of other 10-point preference candidates, 5-point candidates and non-veterans are listed in order of their numerical ratings.

Entitlement to Veterans' preference does not guarantee a job.

Acceptable Documents for Veterans Preference

• DD214: For separated service members, a DD214 confirms their dates of service and that their discharge was under honorable conditions
• Certification from the Armed Forces: For active duty members to certify that they are expected to be discharged or released under honorable conditions (discharge should not occur more than 120 days after certification is signed)
• Form SF-15: Veterans claiming a 10-point preference should complete an application for 10-point Veteran Preference or Form SF-15.
• Letter from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs: Visit a VA Regional Office, contact a VA call center or go to the VA website to obtain a letter reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility