Today the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that the unemployment rate for Post 9/11 veterans is up to 7.9 percent in January 2014, an increase from 7.3 percent in December 2013. For the veteran population overall, unemployment showed little change between December 2013 (5.5 percent) and January 2014 (5.6 percent). The national trend also reflected little change – 6.6 percent for January compared to 6.7 percent in December. (Note: the BLS jobs report is a monthly estimate of the nation’s employment situation, and fluctuations in the post-9/11 veterans unemployment rate may be due to the small sample of veterans surveyed on the report.)

Post 9/11 veterans continue to have a higher unemployment rate than both the national average and other veterans. In 2013, the unemployment rate for post 9/11 vets declined, but still hovered near 10 percent for much of the year. This population of veterans in particular still struggles to find employment.

It is clear we must sustain a national private-public effort to employ veterans, whose capabilities and leadership skills make them an incredible asset. Companies throughout the U.S. who are hiring veterans understand the great investment they are making.

Next week, IAVA will be releasing its annual Member Policy Survey to learn more about the challenges facing our members in 2014. Unemployment has been a long-standing focus for the community, and we encourage our members to participate when they receive the survey over email. This data gives IAVA the ammunition that it needs to keep fighting for our veterans.

For veterans who are facing hardship due to being underemployed or unemployed, we encourage you to contact our Rapid Response Referral (RRRP) team to get connected with resources to help you. Contact us directly by calling the toll free n umber: 855-91-RAPID (855-917-2743) emailing transition@iava.org, or visiting http://www.IAVA.org/RRRP.