You have a VA disability rating. You know federal agencies hire veterans. But somewhere between your rating letter and a federal job offer, there is a document many veterans never hear about: the Schedule A letter. And the fact that you can request one online, from the VA, without ever visiting a regional office or mailing a single form, is something that does not get talked about enough.

I spent 1.5 years applying to federal jobs after I separated from the Navy. Zero callbacks. Part of that was my resume. But part of it was not knowing every tool available to me. Schedule A hiring authority is one of the strongest paths into federal service for veterans with a 30% or higher disability rating. The letter itself takes minutes to request. The advantage it gives you can change the entire trajectory of your federal job search.

This guide walks through exactly what a Schedule A letter is, who qualifies, how to request one from the VA online, what the letter actually says, and how to attach it to your USAJOBS applications so hiring managers can use it.

What Is a Schedule A Letter?

A Schedule A letter is a document that certifies you have a qualifying disability and are eligible for non-competitive appointment to a federal position. Non-competitive means the hiring manager can select you without going through the full competitive announcement process. You skip the ranked list. You go directly to the hiring manager for consideration.

The legal basis is 5 CFR 213.3102(u), which authorizes federal agencies to hire people with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, or intellectual disabilities through a streamlined process. For veterans, this usually ties back to your VA disability rating.

The letter does not guarantee a job. It gives the hiring manager a separate pathway to bring you on board. Think of it like this: on USAJOBS, hundreds of applicants might apply to a GS-9 Program Analyst position. The hiring manager reviews the cert list and picks from the top candidates. But if that same hiring manager has your Schedule A letter on file, they can hire you directly without waiting for the cert list at all.

That distinction matters. Many veterans confuse Schedule A with veterans preference. They are not the same thing. Veterans preference gives you extra points on a competitive cert list. Schedule A removes you from the competitive process altogether. You can use both at the same time on different applications, but they operate through completely different legal authorities.

Who Qualifies for a Schedule A Letter?

The eligibility threshold is straightforward. You need a documented disability rating of 30% or higher from the VA. That can be a single condition rated at 30% or a combined rating that totals 30% or more.

The qualifying conditions under Schedule A include:

• Severe physical disabilities (musculoskeletal injuries, TBI residuals, amputations, chronic pain conditions rated 30%+)
• Psychiatric disabilities (PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders rated 30%+)
• Intellectual disabilities

PTSD is the most common qualifying condition for veterans using Schedule A. If you have a 30% or higher rating for PTSD alone, or PTSD combined with other conditions that push you to 30%+, you qualify.

There are some conditions rated at 30% that may not fall neatly into the "severe" category as defined by OPM. But in practice, if the VA has rated you at 30% or higher for any service-connected disability, you have a strong basis to request the letter. The VA will evaluate your documentation and determine eligibility when you submit the request.

Veterans who are rated at 10% or 20% do not qualify for Schedule A. However, they still qualify for veterans preference on competitive announcements, which is a separate advantage. If your combined rating is 29% or below, focus on VEOA and other veterans employment pathways while using veterans preference on every application.

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How to Request a Schedule A Letter From the VA Online

This is the part that trips people up. There is no dedicated "Schedule A letter request" button on VA.gov. The process goes through the VA's general inquiry system called IRIS (Inquiry Routing and Information System) or through the Ask VA portal at ask.va.gov. Here is the step-by-step process.

An alternative route is to call the VA benefits hotline at 1-800-827-1000 and request the letter by phone. The representative can submit the request on your behalf and it follows the same timeline. But the online method through ask.va.gov creates a paper trail you can reference if there are delays.

You can also request a Schedule A letter from your VA Vocational Rehabilitation counselor if you are enrolled in VR&E (Chapter 31). Your counselor can generate one directly, often faster than going through the general inquiry system.

What Does a Schedule A Letter Actually Say?

The letter itself is short. Typically one page. It does not list your specific conditions or your disability percentage. Privacy protections prevent the VA from disclosing your diagnoses to employers.

A standard Schedule A letter from the VA includes:

• Your name and identifying information
• A statement confirming you have a service-connected disability
• A statement that you are eligible for non-competitive appointment under 5 CFR 213.3102(u)
• The date of issuance
• An official VA signature or certification

That is it. No diagnosis codes. No percentage listed. No details about what conditions you have. The letter confirms eligibility without disclosing medical information. This is a significant privacy protection that many veterans do not realize exists.

Some veterans worry that using Schedule A will flag them as "disabled" and hurt their chances. It actually works the other way. Federal hiring managers who use Schedule A do so because they want to fill positions faster. It reduces their hiring timeline significantly. From the hiring side of the table, a Schedule A candidate with a solid resume and the right qualifications is often the fastest path to getting a position filled.

How Schedule A Differs From Veterans Preference

This is where many veterans get confused, and the confusion costs them opportunities. Veterans preference and Schedule A are completely separate authorities with different legal bases, different processes, and different outcomes.

Veterans preference (5 USC 2108) adds points to your score on a competitive certificate. If you are a 30% or higher disabled veteran, you get 10-point preference (CPS). This means when the HR specialist creates the cert list, your score gets bumped up. You are still on the competitive list. You are still competing with other applicants. You just have extra points helping you rank higher.

Schedule A (5 CFR 213.3102(u)) removes you from the competitive process entirely. The hiring manager does not need to post the job competitively. They do not need a cert list. They can hire you directly through the excepted service, and after two years of satisfactory performance, you convert to the competitive service with full career status.

You should use both. Apply to competitive announcements with veterans preference AND reach out to agency Selective Placement Program Coordinators (SPPCs) with your Schedule A letter. These are two separate pipelines, and running both at the same time doubles your exposure to hiring managers across federal agencies.

How to Use Your Schedule A Letter on USAJOBS

Once you have the letter, you need to actually use it. Many veterans request the letter and then never attach it to their applications. That defeats the purpose.

On USAJOBS, when you apply to a position, there is a section for supporting documents. Upload your Schedule A letter as one of those documents. Label it clearly. Some announcements specifically mention Schedule A eligibility under the "Who May Apply" section. Look for language like "individuals eligible under Schedule A" or "persons with disabilities."

But here is the part that matters more than USAJOBS itself. The most effective way to use Schedule A is to contact agencies directly. Every federal agency has a Selective Placement Program Coordinator. This person is specifically responsible for connecting Schedule A eligible candidates with hiring managers who have open positions.

Find the SPPC for the agencies you want to work at. OPM maintains a directory of SPPCs, and you can also find them by searching the agency's human resources page. Send them your Schedule A letter and your federal resume. Tell them what GS series and grade level you are targeting. They will match you with open positions that fit your qualifications.

This direct approach is often faster than applying through USAJOBS. When I was hiring for federal positions, Schedule A candidates who came through the SPPC channel were on my desk before the competitive cert list was even generated. That is the advantage.

What If the VA Denies Your Request?

It happens. Not every request gets approved on the first try. If the VA determines your disability does not meet the Schedule A criteria, you have options.

First, review the denial carefully. The VA should explain why your specific condition did not qualify. Sometimes it is a matter of how the disability is categorized rather than the severity. A 30% rating for a condition the VA classifies differently than OPM's Schedule A categories can cause a disconnect.

Second, you are not limited to the VA for your Schedule A letter. Any licensed medical professional can provide Schedule A documentation. Your private physician, a VA medical center provider, or a licensed vocational rehabilitation counselor can all write a letter certifying your disability qualifies under 5 CFR 213.3102(u).

Third, if your rating has changed since your last VA decision, file for a re-evaluation. Many veterans have conditions that have worsened since their initial rating. A higher rating may move you into clear Schedule A eligibility.

The documentation from a private provider needs to include the same core elements: your name, confirmation of a qualifying disability, and a statement that you are eligible for Schedule A appointment. It does not need to come on VA letterhead specifically, though VA-issued letters carry institutional weight with federal HR offices.

Can You Use Schedule A for Any Federal Job?

Almost. Schedule A applies to positions across all federal agencies and virtually all GS series. There are some limitations. Positions in the Senior Executive Service (SES) are generally not filled through Schedule A. Some intelligence community positions have separate hiring authorities that supersede Schedule A. And certain positions with specific statutory requirements (like federal law enforcement with age limits) may have restrictions.

But for the vast majority of federal jobs, GS-5 through GS-15, Schedule A works. Program Analyst, Contract Specialist, Logistics Management Specialist, IT Specialist, Human Resources Specialist, Budget Analyst. All fair game. The federal agencies with the highest veteran hire rates tend to have the most active SPPC programs and the most experience processing Schedule A appointments.

One thing to understand: even though Schedule A bypasses the competitive process, you still need to meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If a GS-12 Contract Specialist requires one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level, you still need that experience. Schedule A is about the hiring mechanism, not the qualification standards. Your USAJOBS resume still needs to demonstrate you meet those requirements clearly.

How to Write Your Federal Resume for Schedule A Applications

Your resume still matters. Schedule A gives you a faster pathway to the hiring manager, but that hiring manager is still going to read your resume and decide whether you can do the job. A weak resume through Schedule A still gets passed over.

Federal resumes follow a specific format. Two pages max. Include your hours per week for each position (learn how to calculate hours per week on your federal resume), supervisor name and contact information, salary, and detailed duty descriptions that mirror the language in the job announcement.

For Schedule A specifically, your resume should be tailored to the position just like any other federal application. Pull keywords from the job announcement. Map your military experience to the specialized experience requirements. If you are coming straight from the military with no civilian experience, your military duties are your qualifying experience. Write them in civilian terms that a GS hiring manager can evaluate against the position description.

BMR's federal resume builder handles the military-to-civilian translation and formats your resume to meet federal standards. Schedule A gives you the hiring pathway. The resume is what convinces the hiring manager to actually select you.

How to Find Selective Placement Program Coordinators

The SPPC is your direct contact inside a federal agency for Schedule A hiring. Every agency that participates in federal hiring is required to designate one. Finding yours takes a few minutes.

Start with OPM's Selective Placement Program Coordinator directory. Search for the agency you are interested in. The listing will include the SPPC's name, email, and phone number. If the directory listing is outdated (they sometimes are), call the agency's main HR line and ask to be connected to their SPPC or disability employment program manager.

When you contact the SPPC, include:

• Your Schedule A letter (attached as a PDF)
• Your federal resume (tailored to the type of work you are seeking)
• The GS series and grade level you are targeting
• Your geographic preferences
• A brief summary of your background and qualifications

Keep the email professional and direct. You are not asking for a favor. You are a qualified candidate using a legitimate hiring authority. SPPCs exist specifically to facilitate this process.

Some agencies are more active with Schedule A than others. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Agriculture all have robust SPPC programs. If you are targeting high-volume federal applications, contact SPPCs at multiple agencies simultaneously.

Common Mistakes Veterans Make With Schedule A

After helping 15,000+ veterans through BMR, I see the same Schedule A mistakes repeatedly. Here are the ones that cost people the most time.

Requesting the letter but never using it. Many veterans go through the process, get the letter, and then file it away. They continue applying exclusively through USAJOBS competitive announcements without ever contacting an SPPC or uploading the letter. The letter is worthless if it sits in your documents folder.

Assuming Schedule A means automatic hire. Schedule A gives you a pathway. It does not guarantee selection. Hiring managers still evaluate your qualifications, interview you, and make a judgment call. If your resume does not demonstrate you can do the job, the Schedule A letter will not save it.

Only applying to announcements that mention Schedule A. Even if a USAJOBS announcement does not explicitly reference Schedule A in the "Who May Apply" section, you can still use Schedule A through the SPPC channel. The announcement and the Schedule A pathway are parallel tracks.

Not tailoring the resume to each position. Schedule A applicants still need position-specific resumes. A generic federal resume sent to an SPPC gets the same result as a generic resume submitted on USAJOBS. It sinks to the bottom. Tailor every resume to the specific position or GS series you are targeting.

Confusing the Schedule A letter with the VA rating letter. Your VA rating letter shows your disability percentage. Your Schedule A letter certifies your eligibility for non-competitive federal hiring. They are different documents. Upload both to your USAJOBS account, but understand that the Schedule A letter is the one hiring managers and SPPCs need to see.

What Happens After You Are Hired Through Schedule A

When a federal agency hires you through Schedule A, you enter the excepted service. This is different from the competitive service that most federal employees are in. But the difference is temporary.

After two years of satisfactory performance in your Schedule A position, you are eligible for conversion to the competitive service. Once converted, you have the same career status as any other federal employee. You can apply to internal merit promotion announcements. You can transfer between agencies. You have full competitive service rights.

During those first two years, your position is technically "excepted." This means some internal-only announcements (those restricted to current competitive service employees) may not be open to you yet. But you can still apply to any public announcement, and your agency can non-competitively convert you at the two-year mark without any additional paperwork on your part.

The two-year conversion is not automatic at every agency. Some agencies handle it proactively and notify you when you are eligible. Others require you to request it. Know your agency's process. Ask your HR representative about conversion timelines during your first year so you are not caught off guard.

If you have been ghosted after referral on USAJOBS through the competitive process, Schedule A offers a completely different pathway that avoids many of those bottlenecks. The direct SPPC channel means you are talking to real people at real agencies instead of submitting into a system and waiting.

What to Do Next

If you have a 30% or higher VA disability rating and you are pursuing federal employment, get your Schedule A letter now. Do not wait until you find a specific job. Have the letter ready so you can act immediately when opportunities come up.

Go to ask.va.gov, submit your request, and have the letter in hand within two weeks. While you wait, start identifying SPPCs at your target agencies. Build your contact list. And make sure your federal resume is ready to go alongside that letter.

For a deeper breakdown of how Schedule A hiring authority works from the agency perspective, read our full guide on Schedule A hiring authority for disabled veterans. And if your resume needs work before you start reaching out to SPPCs, BMR's federal resume builder will get you there.

Schedule A is just one of several powerful pathways into federal service. For the full picture of every authority available to you, read our guide on hiring authorities for veterans. The letter takes minutes to request. The advantage lasts your entire career. Do not leave it on the table.