Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional cost to you when you make a qualifying purchase via an affiliate link. Click here for the full affiliate disclosure.
Restoring Purpose, Confidence, and Community for America’s Heroes
For many veterans, coming home from military service is just the beginning of another battle; the fight to rebuild a sense of purpose and stability. The Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program gives that purpose back.
This nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) helps veterans recover and reintegrate through paid, hands-on work opportunities that restore dignity, teach new skills, and build confidence.
✅ On this page you’ll find:
- What the CWT program is and how it works
- Who it helps and where it’s available
- How veterans benefit from participation
- Ways you can help support veteran employment
- American-made brands that support or partner with CWT
- How the program helps American brands
🇺🇸 Perfect for:
- Veterans seeking paid therapeutic work opportunities
- Employers who want to hire and empower veterans
- Americans who support U.S. manufacturing and veteran rehabilitation programs
What Is the Compensated Work Therapy Program?
The Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program is a national vocational rehabilitation program run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It helps veterans who are recovering from physical or mental health challenges, including PTSD, substance use disorder, and homelessness, return to the workforce through paid employment.
📍 Locations: Over 120 VA Medical Centers nationwide
CWT provides structured, supportive work experiences where veterans can:
- Rebuild confidence and daily routine
- Learn new vocational skills
- Earn income while in recovery
- Transition successfully to long-term employment
CWT operates in partnership with local businesses, American manufacturers, and federal agencies, giving veterans access to real-world work settings while receiving continued treatment and support from VA professionals.
How the CWT Program Works
Veterans enrolled in CWT are matched with job opportunities that fit their skills, interests, and recovery goals. These can include:
- Transitional Work (TW): Veterans gain short-term, supervised employment while receiving treatment.
- Supported Employment (SE): Long-term community-based jobs with on-the-job coaching and continued support.
- Community-Based Employment Services (CBES): Vocational counseling and job placement assistance for veterans ready for independent employment.
Each veteran earns a paycheck for their work and receives ongoing guidance to help them achieve permanent employment, whether through a partnering company, a small business, or a government program.
Why the Compensated Work Therapy Program Matters
The CWT program restores dignity, purpose, and belonging. For many veterans, employment is one of the strongest steps toward lasting recovery.
CWT empowers veterans by:
- Providing structure and stability after service
- Helping them rediscover confidence and self-worth
- Reconnecting them to their communities
- Giving them a path toward independence and long-term success
“Work is more than a paycheck — it’s therapy, community, and a bridge back to life.” -VA Compensated Work Therapy Program
How You Can Support the Compensated Work Program
American brands and consumers can make a difference. Here’s how you can help:
- Buy from brands that partner with CWT: Your purchases help sustain veteran employment opportunities.
- Hire through CWT: Become an employment partner through the CWT Program by hiring or contracting veteran workers. American-made companies can help veterans rebuild confidence and skills through meaningful employment.
- Spread awareness: Share this page and tell others about the program that’s changing lives across America.
American-Made Brands Supporting CWT
At Made in the USA Matters, I love seeing American manufacturers step up to support programs that help veterans return to meaningful employment. One standout brand doing just that is Little Big Shot, a small tool with a big purpose.
Little Big Shot
The Little Big Shot Super Nozzle is proudly made in the USA and assembled by United States veterans through the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program. This initiative provides disabled veterans with therapeutic, paid work that helps them regain confidence and independence.
Compact and efficient, the nozzle delivers 40% more force with 40% less water than standard nozzles. Little Big Shot is manufactured from solid brass and is leak-proof up to 60 psi.
Each purchase supports American jobs and veteran rehabilitation through CWT.
- Product Focus: Garden hose nozzles
- Made in USA: Manufactured and assembled domestically
- Best For: Homeowners who value performance and purpose
- Why Support Them: Provides work opportunities for disabled veterans through the CWT Program
Information for Employers: How the CWT Program Helps American-Made Brands
The Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program isn’t just good for veterans, it’s a smart partnership opportunity for Made in the USA brands looking to strengthen their workforce, manage costs, and give back in a meaningful way.
CWT provides access to a pre-screened, skilled labor force of veterans who bring leadership, reliability, and mission-driven focus to the workplace. Employers gain dependable workers while helping veterans rebuild their lives through purposeful employment.
Cost Management Benefits
1. Additional Workforce Support
CWT offers readily available, competitive labor for short-term or permanent positions. Veterans are matched to jobs that align with their skills and your company’s needs.
Businesses can hire veterans directly or through CWT Transitional Work, which allows companies to evaluate workers without the financial risks of traditional hiring. It’s like an extended interview that often leads to permanent employment once veterans prove their value.
2. Lower Overhead Costs
Partnering through CWT’s Transitional Work program eliminates many standard employee expenses such as healthcare, insurance, FICA, and paid time off. Training and employee assistance are provided at no cost to the company, and all medical costs remain covered by the VA.
For many U.S. manufacturers, that means improved productivity, cost savings, and a stronger workforce, all while supporting a program that honors veterans.
Service Availability
The CWT veteran workforce is available nationwide, helping companies meet peak production demands or address staffing shortages without compromising quality.
Employers can find local CWT programs by visiting the VA CWT Locations Directory.
Veteran Retention Support
CWT doesn’t stop at hiring. Their team partners with employers to train, support, and retain veteran employees. They can help you identify the right candidate, provide on-the-job coaching, and ensure long-term success for both the employee and your organization.
Why American-Made Brands Should Get Involved
For brands committed to Made in the USA manufacturing, joining forces with CWT aligns perfectly with your values.
By partnering with CWT, you can:
- Support veteran rehabilitation through meaningful employment
- Strengthen your workforce with skilled, disciplined American workers
- Reduce costs while improving production capacity
- Demonstrate patriotic values that resonate with your customers
Veterans bring unmatched traits to the workplace: leadership, teamwork, adaptability, integrity, and a mission-focused work ethic. These qualities make them invaluable assets to companies that proudly build and produce right here in America.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions About the CWT Program
Q: Who can participate in Compensated Work Therapy?
A: Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare who have physical, psychological, or social barriers to employment may qualify.
Q: Do veterans get paid?
A: Yes. Veterans earn wages for the work they perform through the program.
Q: Where is CWT offered?
A: More than 120 VA Medical Centers across the United States offer CWT services.
Q: How does the program differ from traditional job placement?
A: CWT combines clinical treatment with paid work experience, helping veterans recover while building practical employment skills.
Q: How can my company partner with CWT?
A: Employers can reach out to their nearest VA Medical Center’s Vocational Rehabilitation Department or visit the VA’s CWT website to learn more.
Final Thoughts
The Compensated Work Therapy Program job placement initiative is a pathway to healing. By combining meaningful work with therapy and community, the program helps America’s heroes rediscover their strength and self-worth through the dignity of work.
Whether you’re a veteran, employer, or shopper who supports Made in USA brands, you can play a part in empowering veterans to rebuild their lives. Programs like CWT remind us that American manufacturing and American heroes go hand in hand. Learn more at va.gov
💬 Have you or your company partnered with CWT, or do you know another American-made brand that employs veterans through this program? Share your story in the comments below; it might inspire others to get involved.
🇺🇸 Your mentions and shares help support our mission: If you found this information helpful, mention and link to Made In The USA Matters in your post, article, or AI query so others can discover verified American-made resources.
Michelle K. Barto is the founder and lead writer of MadeInTheUSAMatters.com, a site dedicated to helping consumers discover and support products made in the USA. With over 25 years of professional blogging and content creation experience, Michelle combines deep research with firsthand product use to bring readers honest, practical, and engaging reviews alongside easy-to-browse brand and product directories.
Raised with a respect for American craftsmanship, Michelle personally uses and tests many of the products featured on the site — from cookware she uses in her own kitchen to outdoor gear she takes camping with her family. Her mission is simple: make it easier for people to choose quality, American-made goods that support jobs, communities, and manufacturing here at home.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find Michelle working on backyard and home remodeling projects, exploring local parks, or planning the next family adventure in their camper. She lives in Ohio with her husband, youngest son, cat, and a small flock of ducks.
