Veterans Services Veterans Services FAQs

The SF-50 is the Notification of Personnel Action. It contains certain employment information useful to the applicant or if applying for another federal job. It is used by current and former federal employees.

In general, veterans' preference eligibility is based on dates of active duty service, receipt of a campaign badge, Purple Heart, or a service-connected disability.  Only veterans discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions (honorable or general discharge) are eligible for veterans' preference.  If you are not sure of your preference eligibility, visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

The SF-15 can be found on the OPM website. Go to https://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf

There are basically three types of preference eligibles, disabled (10 point preference eligible), non-disabled (5 point preference eligible) and sole survivorship preference (0 point preference eligible).

A 5-point preference eligible is a veteran whose discharge or release from active duty in the armed forces was under honorable conditions and service meets the following criteria:

1. During a war; or
2. During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; or
3. For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976; or
4. During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992; or
5. 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 August 31, 2010, the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom;  or
6. In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including Afghanistan (Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF), Iraqi Freedom (OIF)), Bosnia (Operations Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, and Joint Forge), Global War on Terrorism, Persian Gulf, and others may qualify for preference.

The veteran must have been discharged under an honorable or general discharge.

It depends. If the applicant is eligible for both appointing authorities he or she should indicate their desire to receive consideration under both appointing authorities. However, the criteria for 30% or more disabled appointing authority are different from Schedule A Persons with Disabilities appointing authority. For additional information on the eligibility criteria visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx.

A 10 point preference eligible is a veteran or eligible family member of a veteran who served at any time, was discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions and:

1. has a compensable service connected disability,
2. has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs OR
3. has received a Purple Heart.

The veteran must have been discharged under an honorable or general discharge. Note: Certain spouses, widows, widowers, or parents of veterans may also be entitled.

To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, your latest discharge must be issued under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge), AND you must be either:

• a preference eligible (defined in title 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)), OR
• a veteran who substantially completed 3 or more years of active service.

Preference eligible under VEOA includes those family members entitled to derived preference.

No. There is no limit to the number of times you can use veterans’ preference.

To be eligible, the veteran must be:

• in receipt of a campaign badge for service during a war or in a campaign or expedition; OR
• a disabled veteran, OR
• in receipt of an Armed Forces Service Medal or Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for participation in a military operation, OR
• a recently separated veteran (within the last 3 years), AND

separated under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge).

You can request ‘certification’ through your Military Personnel Office. 

Maybe.  Eligibility for veterans’ preference in Federal employment is dependent on military service dates or service-connected disability and having served honorably.  The Feds Hire Vets website (www.fedshirevets.gov) provides guidance on veterans’ preference and special hiring authorities for veterans.

The SF-15, along with supporting documentation, should be submitted with your application to the agency where you are applying for Federal employment.

No.  Veterans' preference does not apply when the agency is using merit promotion procedures to fill a position.