Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Olver echoed the President’s announcement that service members whose service was extended under stop loss orders in Iraq and Afghanistan have until October 21, 2010 to apply for retroactive pay. Troops eligible for retroactive pay will receive $500 a month for each month their service was extended.  The Defense Department estimates that while 145,400 troops are eligible, only 58,000 claims have been paid out so far.

“Our brave men and women have made tremendous sacrifices for our country,” said Congressman Olver. “In 2009, we passed legislation to compensate our service members for tours that were involuntarily extended in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the deadline fast approaching, I urge all eligible troops to submit their claims so that they can receive the retroactive pay they earned through their service. Working with our local veterans organizations, I want to make sure that all eligible service members here in Massachusetts get the benefits they have earned.”

In 2009, Congressman Olver voted to pass H.R. 2346, the War Supplemental Appropriations Act which established retroactive stop loss special pay (RSLSP). This allows troops whose service was involuntarily extended between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 to file claims in order to receive retroactive pay if eligible. The deadline for submissions is October 21, 2010.  The average benefit is $3,800.

For more information or to submit a claim please visit www.defense.gov/stoploss.

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