FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2010

Washington, D.C. –Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) highlighted today President Obama’s announcement that service members and veterans whose service was extended under stop-loss orders in Iraq and Afghanistan have until October 21, 2010 to apply for retroactive pay. Service members eligible for retroactive pay will receive $500 a month for each month their service was extended involuntarily.  The Department of Defense estimates that while 145,400 troops are eligible, only 58,000 claims have been paid to date.

“Thousands of service members and their families faced significant burdens as a result of extended deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Congresswoman Edwards. “While retroactive stop-loss payments cannot fully compensate for those burdens, I urge every eligible service member to apply for these funds before the October 21 deadline.  I hope these funds can provide assistance in alleviating some of the hardships faced by service members, veterans, and their families in the 4th Congressional District and across the country due to these extended tours of duty.” 
 

For more information or to submit a claim, please visit http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0710_stoploss/

###