New Bill Includes GI Bill For Gold Star Children

By Terry Howell

The Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009, or so called War Spending Bill, recently passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and awaits President Obama's signature. The bill includes a key provision that will have a significant impact on surviving children of military servicemembers. Under the provision, Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits will be extended to the children of servicemembers of the armed forces who die while on active duty.

If signed into law, surviving children will be given access to benefits which include up to 100 percent tuition and fee coverage, a monthly housing stipend averaging more than $1,200, and an annual book and supply stipend of up to $1,000.

These benefits are a vast improvement to those provided under the VA’s Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program, which provides education and training opportunities to all eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers up to 36 months of benefits for education programs offered through degree granting colleges and universities. This differs from the more liberal DEA program which pays up to $950 a month for up to 45 months of education benefits and may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.

Get more than $49,000 a year for school. Request info about GI Bill approved programs from military and veteran-friendly schools and start earning your degree today.

With congress opening the door to the Post-9/11 GI Bill to more beneficiaries, some may want to know how much it will cost the tax payers and what it means for those who are already using the existing DEA program.

It is still early in the process and many details are not available yet and this provision is subject to change. Stay tuned, we will be sure to pass along the details as they surface.

Comments

[SFC CHILL]

I beleive I should have the right to transfer my benefits to my children, I served my country and I should have that choice. The GI bill should be offered to retirees.

[Ralph Burns]

The GI Bill should be available for the dependents(Spouse/Children) of all veterans. We should have the authority to make the decision as to what family members could use the bill. We've earned the benefits through our service to our country and should be able to decide how it's used. In my case I'm a 50 year old retired soldier who has over 25 years on active duty, with two tours in Iraq. Obviously I'm not deceased but have earned the benefits. I've been to college, my daughter can use the benefits to continue her education

[Wade T. Murdoch]

The biggest job that has fallen to all of us, the surviving veterans is to change the mild set of the Veterans Administration Claims Process from LOOKING FOR REASONS TO DENY BENEFITS TO VETERANS to that of LOOKING FOR REASONS TO GRANT VETERANS BENEFITS,ALONG WITH KEEPING YOUR CONGRESS PERSON AWARE OF THE NEEDED FUNDING FOR THE V.A.

You need to belong to one of the National Veterans Groups that is doing the good fight for all veterans.

[Dan71@bellsouth.net]

Post 911 should be an across the board service and no servicemember children should be lifted out, Dead or Alive they deserve the same services and treatment.

Dannyp
United States Army Retired

[J. Brice]

The GI Bill should be available for the dependents(Spouse/Children) of all veterans. We should have the authority to make the decision as to what family members could use the bill. We've earned the benefits through our service to our country and should be able to decide how it's used. In my case I'm a 50 year old reservist who has over 22 years with 12 of thos years on active duty. I've been activated as a reservist and sent abroad during Operation Enduring Freedom. Obviously I'm not deceased but have earned the benefits. I've been to college and I'm looking towards retirement in the next five years from my civil service job and plan to retire from the Air Force Reserves in January. My 17 year old daughter just graduated from high school and can use the benefits to continue her education.

[Angela]

Why are all these dependents getting the same benefits or better benefits than soldiers who fought in ANY war!! If dependents can get them then any soldier who fought in war should be able to get the New GI Bill too!!

[Evan Snow]

What about all the vets who were screwed by VEAP? I have yet to find a college veteran rep who will even acknowledge that ripoff program. I had over $3500 of my money, with the promise of matching funds just disappear. I know I'm not the only one this happened to either.

[Brand]

I think this should also include service members who are discharged from service for medical related issues and then later die of complications from service related injuries! I knew of a fellow soldier who serviced in the 1st Gulf War and was shot by friendly tank fire with DPU rounds and still has radio active shrapnel in his body and is causing all sorts of problems which can kill him.

[dc matthews]

is 51 too old for adoption? STATE VOC REHAB STINKS!

[dc matthews]

Should be children of any service member since 1776 who is unable to work due to service related injury.

Stop the divide and conquer lobbyist strategy in all agencies!

[Kevin]

Well this should carry to all veteran's/active duty/retiree's that fall under 9/11. Not just the active duty. I'm not going to use because of physical and mental isssue occured in both 9/11 and gulf war so my kids should be able to use it.

[Jack]

If I am reading this correctly, it says "any serviceman/woman who dies while on active duty". Personally I think it should be "any serviceman/woman who dies while on active duty OF A SERVICE CONNECTED ACTION OR ACTIVITY". If "non-service connected" then the member should have life insurance (readily available to service members) to cover his family in the event of his or her death while on active duty. And "Yes" to the poster who mentioned just one more "slap in the face" to our Vietnam War veterans....Welcome home, Brother...

[ROBWESTDC]

?

[J.Marie Green]

Why has the Post 9/11 New GI Bill not covered the soliders which fought in the war when it first started? What about those who served during the Persian Gulf War which began in August 1992, these soliders have been excluded, now you want to add others, what up with you Congress people!

[John Vitikacs]

Mr. O'Neal: The service member has to die while on active duty for their surviving children to be eligible for this education benefit.

If you have kids in college today and are writing about it, obviously you are not dead!

[WALTER.J.KERNAGHAN]

THEIR ARE THING GOING ON UP THEIR WASHINGTON,THAT YOU THINK US LITTLE PEOPLE DONT KNOW WHATS GOING ON. EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE YOU GUYS THROUGH AUS BONE,SOME OF THOSE BONES ARE OUTSTANDING,AND WE DO APPRECIATE THEM. BUT THIS COUNTRY IS GOING TO BE PLAYING POLICED OFFICER FOR THE WORLD. I THINK WE DESERVE A LITTLE MORE RESPECT FROM OBAMA,REID AND THAT MEAN AND UGLY PERSON PELOSIE

[WALTER.J.KERNAGHAN]

WHY DID THIS TAKE SO LONG. ITS A WONDERFUL,BUT YOU JUST PUSHING FOR THIS NOW. WHAT RE-ELECTION COMING UP.

RETIRED

[SSgt Morris]

What shocks me is our goverment has set two different standards of compensation. The families of 9/11 and veterans. This should be a non debatable issue when it comes to children of Fallen veterans.

[Paul W]

Stop focusing on the past. This what is offered now. Vietnam vets with disablity can have there children go to school for free aswell. You just have to know the right channels. Use your resources. VA

[dks]

Why can't they retro this bill? There were wars way before 9/11. This isn't fair to any veteran or their family members who served before 9/11. They're acting as if we don't exist or as if we don't have children whom deserve these same benefits.

[gary oneal]

vietnam vets get screwed again.I have kids in college,can't get help from congress.