Service members who qualify for the payments now have until December 2, 2010, to apply; average benefit $3,700

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced tonight t the House voted to extend the stop-loss payment application deadline from Oct. 21 to Dec. 3 to give service members extra time to apply for compensation they earned while their service was involuntarily extended. 

“Our men and women in uniform made such sacrifices for us when they put off returning to their families or retiring so they could continue to serve when needed,” said Pingree.  “I hope we can repay this debt to every single service member it’s owed, which is why this extension is so important.”

Members of the military, along with their beneficiaries, whose service was involuntarily extended under stop loss between September 11, 2001, and September 30, 2009, are eligible for the retroactive payments.  The pay provides $500 for each month or partial month served in stop loss status.  The average benefit is $3,700. 

To receive the benefits, veterans must submit a claim by December 2, 2010. Information about the payments, including how to apply, is available here http://bit.ly/dfXXSK.  Pingree has also set up a page on her website with resources for veterans.