“I am pleased that VA has acted swiftly to remedy this problem and make these funds available to thousands of eligible veterans starting this Friday,” said Delahunt. “We have a responsibility to those who serve our country in the Armed Forces to provide the very best care and services in a timely manner once they return home.”
Last year, the Congress enacted the new Post-9/11 G.I. Bill which contained language to restore the promise of a full, four-year college education for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Qualified veterans were able to apply for the new college benefits beginning in May of this year, and started receiving tuition benefits in August, along with housing and book stipends which are paid retroactively. Benefits, which are transferable to a veteran's spouse or children, can be applied to vocational-technical, undergraduate, or graduate programs. Tuition and living allowances vary by state.
According to recent press reports, since August 1, when the Post-9/11 GI Bill went into effect, the VA has approved nearly 200,000 of 277,000 applications but issued just 61,000 payments totaling more than $50 million.
The checks for up to $3,000 will be distributed to veterans whose payments have been delayed at VA regional offices across the country starting this Friday, October 2. These emergency checks can be used to help veterans make payments towards books and housing. Students can go to one of the 57 regional benefit offices with a photo ID, a course schedule and a certificate of eligibility to request payment of their housing and book allowance. This money will be deducted from future payments, which are expected to arrive on the normal schedule – the beginning of the month following the period for which they are being reimbursed.
A list of regional VA offices is available at: www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/offices.asp. The VA is also working with Veteran Services Organizations to send representatives to campuses with large veteran student bodies and to help students access the regional offices.
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