Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Update: Feb. 1 Deadline

Yesterday was VA's self-imposed Feb. 1 deadline to process spring 2010 Post-9/11 G.I. Bill claims. Preliminary reports from student-veterans' advocates around the country indicate that payments are flowing. However, anonymous reports continue to trickle in, indicating that veterans may still be slipping through the cracks. If you are an enrolled Chapter 33-eligible veteran who has not received timely payment for either the fall or spring semesters, please contact me via email at AMVETS National Headquarters:

Ryan Gallucci
rgallucci@amvets.org

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, we will follow the AMVETS legislative team to Capitol Hill for a series of hearings in the House Committee on Veterans Affairs on VSO priorities for the coming year, transition issues for today's veterans, and Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33) solutions.

AMVETS discussed Chapter 33 in this week's print editions of Military Times publications, citing conflicting reports from within the veterans' community about the current state of the Chapter 33 backlog and from VA, which expects to be current on all claims by Feb. 1.

In a press release yesterday, the Army announced its suicide statistics for 2009, marking a significant increase over 2008 figures. In 2009, the Army had 160 reported suicides, compared to 140 in 2008. AMVETS leaders have been working on new ideas to help curb this disturbing trend, with AMVETS participating in recent discussions across DoD and VA on the issue of military mental health, including last week's joint suicide prevention conference and the upcoming VBA/VHA Mental Health Summit.

This week, the second annual AMVETS Leadership Conference will take place in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. AMVETS and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary members from across the country will convene on Pigeon Forge to participate in the three-day conference designed to foster more effective leadership skills at all levels of the organization. To view details on the conference, including an agenda, Click Here. American Veteran Online will post photos and details from the conference next week.

As always, we're eager to hear what's happening at posts and departments around the country. If you have any photos or stories you would like to share, we're eager to post them on this blog and in the Keeping Posted section of the American Veteran print edition.

Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Update: VA Says it's on Track for Timely Delivery in Spring Semester

On Wednesday, VA hosted a conference call to discuss progress on this semester's processing of pending Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33) claims. AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley participated in the call.

VA took the time to discuss the current volume of claims as well as the looming backlog from the fall semester when the new benefit rolled out with substantial delays.

VA assured veterans and veterans' advocates on the call that all claims received for the fall semester have started receiving payments and that nearly 70 percent of spring claims had already been processed.

To date, VA says it has received more than 100,000 claims from schools for the spring semester and that all paperwork received by Jan. 19 will be paid in full by Feb. 1.

Though the call presented encouraging trends, the figures left AMVETS confused. Earlier in the week, AMVETS received a critical call-to-action from a student-veteran at Lehman College in New York who was being barred from spring enrollment for an out-standing bill. At the time of VA's conference call, she had not received payment for her fall semester.

However, this does not necessarily mean VA is solely responsible for veterans slipping through the cracks. VA has continued to stress that schools must complete and send the necessary paperwork before any claims can be paid, which is why lines of communication among student-veterans, VA, and schools must remain open throughout the process.

In November, VA retained the services of ACS Federal to assist in claims-processing for the next two semesters while VA and Navy SPAWAR stand up the digital enrollment system. Today, VA has the equivalent of 1,200 claims-processors handling G.I. Bill claims.

As of the most recent VA Monday Morning Workload Report on Jan. 11, 42,220 pending Chapter 33 claims remain. To view the report, Click Here.

If you are still experiencing Chapter 33 payment delays, do not hesitate to let us know through this blog or via email. AMVETS remains committed to ensuring that all veterans seeking to take advantage of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill receive the benefits they have earned.

(Image: VA's official logo for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill)

Live from Capitol Hill: House VA Committee to host hearing on VA/SPAWAR partnership of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill

This afternoon, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs will host a hearing to discuss the partnership between VA and Navy SPAWAR tasked with developing an electronic filing system for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. AMVETS will be on hand in Cannon 334 at 1:30 p.m. for the hearing.

To view the live video feed of today's hearing, Click Here.

In recent weeks, AMVETS has been tracking the implementation of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, tracking payments and the backlog of claims. Though today's hearing is supposed to simply address the next phase of implementation, AMVETS wants to see Congress address the outstanding issues facing veterans already enrolled for the new Chapter 33 benefits.

Since the VA started accepting enrollment verifications on July 6, it has come to AMVETS' attention that most veterans will not receive timely payment of their living stipends and that VBA has also missed its deadlines for reimbursing schools for tuition.

While many schools have been understanding of the situation, landlords and utility companies will not be so understanding of the financial hardships.

American Veteran has already received numerous comments from veterans who have been forced to take out student loans in order to make ends meet.

After numerous calls and meetings with VA leaders to discuss the G.I. Bill and the payment processes, AMVETS has only been left with more questions about workload and benefits-delivered. AMVETS leaders will continue to ask these questions, until they receive satisfactory answers and solutions.

Check back with American Veteran Online this afternoon to learn more about today's hearing.

Post-9/11G.I. Bill Update: More payment issues

This morning, AMVETS took part in another discussion with the Veterans Benefits Administration to discuss issues with the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and widespread reports of missing payments and possible disenrollment of veterans.

AMVETS leaders who participated in the conversation said they were confused by the lack of information available from VBA on schools that had received payments and a hard number on outstanding Chapter 33 benefits claims.

Last week, AMVETS raised questions about the VBA's weekly report, which showed more than 236,000 education claims that still required action by the VA. At the time, VA explained that the alarming number did not represent the actual number of veterans that would experience delays in payment.

However, since Sept. 1, AMVETS and other leading veterans' organizations have heard reports from colleges and universities around the country of missing payments for both veterans and schools, with some schools threatening to disenroll veterans or charge late fees for outstanding bills.

The editor of American Veteran magazine, Isaac Pacheco, filed his claim for Chapter 33 benefits on May 1 for graduate classes this fall. However, as of this morning's call, Pacheco's book stipend remains MIA.

AMVETS wants to hear from veterans who are experiencing problems with their Chapter 33 G.I. Bill benefits particularly if:

- You did not receive your first month's living stipend for class time in August.

- Your school has not received your tuition payment for fall classes.

- You did not receive your book stipend for the academic year as of Aug. 3.

- You did not receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from VA and applied for benefits before Aug. 1, 2009.

-Your school is threatening disenrollment or late fees for missed payments.

If you meet any of these criteria above, please comment here on this blog, or contact AMVETS National Headquarters.

AMVETS will continue to look for a solution to these issues in an effort to stave off financial hardship and potential disenrollment, and American Veteran Online will continue to monitor this situation in the coming days.

Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Update: Thousands of veterans could receive late living stipends

Over the last few weeks, AMVETS has heard grumblings in Washington that the VA may be unable to deliver September's living stipend on time to thousands of veterans seeking Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33) benefits.

AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley has asked for specifics on potential issues from the VA several times, only to have his inquiries fall on deaf ears.

However, according to the most recent data, more than 200,000 claims for Chapter 33 remain unprocessed. VA, which hired hundreds of new claims processors to handle the influx, only has a few short days remaining to file the additional claims and issue checks.

Earlier this month, Keith Wilson, VA's primary representative handling Chapter 33, placed the blame on many of the colleges and universities, saying that they failed to file veterans' paperwork in a timely manner, leading to a flood of claims to be processed in August.

College representatives refute this claim, saying that the VA's self-imposed start date of July 7 to accept paperwork was far to late to adequately process all of the new benefits claims.

Regardless of where the disconnect occured, the delay in payment could leave many of the 200,000 veterans without their first month's living stipend.

When the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill was signed into law, the nation made a promise to veterans that they would not incur any outlandish costs pursuing higher education. The living stipend--based on the military's basic allowance for housing for an E-5 with dependents--was designed to cover the costs of rent, food and other expenses so that veterans could focus on their studies.

Now, will veterans need to hastily apply for loans to cover these costs in the interim? What happens when veterans cannot make the rent for the month of September?

American Veteran will continue to follow this story closely. Check back regularly, as we approach Sept. 1 for updates. In the meantime, let us know what you think.

G.I. Bill Update: Pentagon finalizes transferability criteria.

This week, the Pentagon issued its final transferability criteria for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33) in a memorandum which can be reviewed Here.

AMVETS and the veterans community have been calling on the Department of Defense to finalize its transferability guidelines ever since the Pentagon issues its preliminary criteria in May.

The memorandum states that career service members who have been on active duty for at least six years as of August 1, 2009 may transfer their benefits to dependents if they commit to serving at least another four years.

Service members who have already served on active duty for 10 years, but who are prohibitied from committing to an additional four years will also be eligible to transfer benefits, so long as they continue to serve as long as possible past August 1, 2009. Special consideration has also been made for service members eligible to retire within the four year window starting August 1.

Starting June 29, 2009, eligible service members may make designations to transfer their benefits online by visiting DoD's secure Web site for G.I. Bill transfer.

As implementation of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill draws closer, check back regularly with American Veteran Online for updates.

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, we will follow up with Congressmen John Boccieri, Mike Coffman and Duncan Hunter, each of whom was featured in the spring issue of American Veteran. The three newest Iraq veterans elected to Congress have kept busy since we had an opportunity to sit down with each of them shortly after taking office. American Veteran will highlight some of the key veterans' issues each congressman has sought to address early in their term.

We will also launch the first Battle Stripes story, highlighting the Army's 1st Infantry Division, the oldest continually active unit in the U.S. military.

We will also follow developments on Capitol Hill as AMVETS pushes to fund last summer's provision in the Higher Ed bill to commission student-veterans' centers on college campuses nationwide.

As a reminder, the VA continutes to accept applications for Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (Chapter 33), and the Department of Defense has published the criteria for transferability of Chapter 33 benefits. Check out last Friday's post for futher details.

By now, all copies of the spring issue of American Veteran magazine should have reached your mailboxes. Please let us know what you think of the latest issue by posting your comments to this blog.

G.I. Bill Update: VA to accept apps TODAY, DoD clarifies transferability

This morning, the VA will begin to accept applications for Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits, or Chapter 33. Eligible veterans should visit the VA's new G.I. Bill Web site, www.gibill.va.gov, to print out an application form and to learn more about the new benefit.

Last week American Veteran reported that veterans eligible for Chapter 33 should play close attention to their usage of any previous G.I. Bill chapters, as this will effect your eligibility for the new benefit. Veterans with fewer than twelve months remaining on their previous G.I. Bill entitlements should completely use their old benefits before enrolling in Chapter 33. Veterans who have any time remaining on their old benefits will only be eligible for that limited amount of time under the new benefit. However, if a veteran has completely exhausted their previous G.I. Bill benefits, they will automatically be eligible for an additional 12 months of Chapter 33.

For example, I have only three months remaining of my Chapter 1607 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) G.I. Bill benefits. If I chose to enroll in Chapter 33 today, I would only be eligible to receive three months worth of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits. However, if I use my remaining three months of Chapter 1607, I will then be eligible for another 12 months of Chapter 33 benefits.

The decision to enroll in Chapter 33 is IRREVOCABLE, so be sure to understand your personal entitlements before filing for the new benefit.

In regards to transferability, service members who wish to pass along their Chapter 33 benefits to dependents must be on active duty on August 1, 2009, when the new benefit takes effect. Service members must also have at least six years of service on active duty with a commitment to serve an additional four.

However, DoD has also outlined special rules for service members who are slated to retire before August 1, 2012 or who have a minimum of 10 years in service, so that they will also be able to take advantage of Chapter 33 transferability. These special criteria only apply to service members up to 2012 and will not be extended. To view a DoD fact sheet on transferability, Click Here.

Service members who opt to transfer their Chapter 33 benefits may transfer any or all of the benefit to eligible dependents for up to 36 months worth of schooling.

Check back regularly with American Veteran Online for further updates on this summer's implementation of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, and, as always, please let us know if you have any specific questions.

-Ryan

G.I. Bill Update: VA outlines key dates for implementation

This afternoon, AMVETS took part in on a conference call with the VA and the nation's leading veterans' organizations for an update on the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

The VA outlined key dates for veterans interested in enrolling in the new program and also important information for beneficiaries and dependents.

The key dates outlined on a the call are:

May 1, 2009: VA will begin to accept submissions for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33). Students will then receive a certificate of eligibility outlining the specific benefits for which they qualify. Students must then present this to the school they plan to attend.

July 6, 2009: VA will begin to accept enrollment figures from schools.

Aug. 3, 2009: First payments will be made for tuition and fees to schools. Veterans will receive an award letter, outlining specific figures on tuition, fees, monthly living stipend, books, and supplies. Veterans will also receive payment for books and supplies.

Sept. 1, 2009: Veterans will receive their first living stipend payment. This will likely be a partial payment based on the number of days the veteran is enrolled in the month of August. Subsequent payments will be made on the first of each month for which the veteran is enrolled.

Veterans who wish to take advantage of Chapter 33, but have not finished using their original Chapter 30 benefits, will only be eligible for the specific number of months remaining on the original eligibility. However, if all of the veteran's prior benefit has been used, they will be eligible for another 12 months of Chapter 33.

If a veteran wishes to transfer their benefits to multiple dependents, each dependent will receive a portion of the tuition and fees allowance based on the VA's corollary for Chapter 33. However, each dependent will receive the full housing and subsistence allowance, keeping with the intent of the original legislation.

Check back with www.amvets.org in the coming days for more developments on the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. American Veteran online will contine to monitor the VA's implementation process leading up to Chapter 33's launch in August. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to post on this blog, or contact AMVETS National Headquarters.