Emergency Checks to Veterans Awaiting College Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has quickly responded to the needs of our student veterans by providing emergency checks under the new G.I. Bill. Thousands of veterans who applied for educational benefits under the program have not yet received their payments due to delayed processing and bureaucracy. These emergency checks will help them make payments towards books and housing.

The checks for up to $3,000 will be distributed to eligible students at VA regional offices across the country starting this Friday, October 2, 2009. 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. Students can also apply online at www.va.gov or request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest VA regional office. To obtain this service, veterans should call their nearest VA medical center and ask for the "Volunteer Transportation Coordinator."

The distributed 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. Veterans who apply for the emergency benefits online will receiver their payments in the mail after processing.

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.