H.R. 1168 would require the Secretary of Labor to pay to each covered veteran an assistance allowance for each month the veteran in enrolled in an employment and training program that teaches a skill in demand. The bill defines a covered veteran as one who is: (1) unemployed for at least four consecutive months before applying for such assistance; (2) able to successfully complete the program; and (3) ineligible for other veterans' education or training assistance.

The bill would also require the Secretary to pay an allowance of no more than $5,000 to each covered veteran for transportation expenses related to the veteran's receipt of training for which an allowance is paid under the bill.

The bill authorizes $100 million for each fiscal year to carry out these payments. At the authorization level noted in the bill, CBO estimates that approximately 13,000 veterans would participate in this program each year and that they would receive assistance averaging around $7,500 per person.