Veterans Preference in Hiring

• 5-Point vs. 10-Point Preference
• Who is considered a 5-Point Preference (TP)?
• Who is considered a 10-Point Preference (CP)?
• Who is considered a 10-Point 30 Percent Compensable Disability Preference (CPS)?
• Who is considered a 10-Point Disability Preference (XP)?
• Who is considered a 10-Point Derived Preference (XP)?

5-Point vs. 10-Point Preference

When applying for non-status vacancies, applicants must indicate and substantiate veteran eligibility by providing a DD-214 reflecting that applicant has been discharged or release from active duty in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions, SF-15 (if applicable), and a copy of VA letter certifying the percentage of the service-connected disability.

Preference eligibles who are qualified for the position will receive 5 or 10 extra points added to their numerical ratings depending on which of the previously described categories of preference they meet.

For scientific and professional positions (ZP-III and above, certain administrative professional ZA-III and above), names of all qualified applicants are listed on the certificate in order of their ratings, augmented by veteran preference, if any.  Preference eligibles “do not float to the top.”

For all other positions, the names of 10-point preference eligibles who have a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (CP and CPS) are listed at the top of the certificate register in the order of their ratings ahead of the names of all other eligibles. The names of other 10-point preference eligibles, 5-point preference eligibles, and other applicants are listed in order of their numerical ratings.

Who is considered a 5-Point Preference (TP)?

Five Points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a veteran who served:

• During a war; or
• During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; or
• 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
• During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992; or
• 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; or
• 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, qualifies for preference.

Who is considered a 10-Point Preference (CP)?

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent but less than 30 percent.

Who is considered a 10-Point 30 Percent Compensable Disability Preference (CPS)?

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Who is considered a 10-Point Disability Preference (XP)?

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of:

• A veteran who served at any time and has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs but does not qualify as a CP or CPS; or
• A veteran who received a Purple Heart.

Who is considered a 10-Point Derived Preference (XP)?

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, widows, widowers, or mothers of veterans as described below.  This type of preference is usually referred to as "derived preference" because it is based on service of a veteran who is not able to use the preference.

Both a mother and a spouse (including widow or widower) may be entitled to preference on the basis of the same veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.  However, neither may receive preference if the veteran is living and is qualified for Federal employment.

Spouse

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of the spouse of a disabled veteran who is disqualified for a Federal position along the general lines of his or her usual occupation because of a service-connected disability.  Such a disqualification may be presumed when the veteran is unemployed and

• is rated by appropriate military or Department of Veterans Affairs authorities to be 100 percent disabled and/or unemployable; or
• has retired, been separated, or resigned from a civil service position on the basis of a disability that is service-connected in origin; or
• has attempted to obtain a civil service position or other position along the lines of his or her usual occupation and has failed to qualify because of a service-connected disability.

Widow/Widower

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of the widow or widower of a veteran who was not divorced from the veteran, has not remarried, or the remarriage was annulled, and the veteran either:

• served during a war or during the period April 28, 1952, through July 1, 1955, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized; or
• died while on active duty that included service described immediately above under conditions that would not have been the basis for other than an honorable or general discharge.

Mother of a deceased veteran

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of the mother of a veteran who died under honorable conditions while on active duty during a war or during the period April 28, 1952, through July 1, 1955, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized; and

• she is or was married to the father of the veteran; and
• she lives with her totally and permanently disabled husband (either the veteran's father or her husband through remarriage); or
• she is widowed, divorced, or separated from the veteran's father and has not remarried; or
• she remarried but is widowed, divorced, or legally separated from her husband when she claims preference.

Mother of a disabled veteran

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a mother of a living disabled veteran if the veteran was separated with an honorable or general discharge from active duty, including training service in the Reserves or National Guard, performed at any time and

• is permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected injury or illness; and the mother:
• is or was married to the father of the veteran; and
• lives with her totally and permanently disabled husband (either the veteran's father or her husband through remarriage); or
• is widowed, divorced, or separated from the veteran's father and has not remarried; or
• remarried but is widowed, divorced, or legally separated from her husband when she claims preference.

Note:   Preference is not given to widows or mothers of deceased veterans who qualify for preference under 5 U.S.C. 2108 (1) (B), (C) or (2). Thus, the widow or mother of a deceased disabled veteran who served after 1955, but did not serve in a war, campaign, or expedition, would not be entitled to preference.

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