Emergency GI Bill Payment Status Report – Day One

VA Lays Out Nearly $50M in Emergency GI Bill Payments

By Terry Howell

Updates and News from Inside the VA
The following information came from one of my sources at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs central office in D.C.

• Nearly $50 Million paid out so far - As of 5PM ET the VA had issued 8,595 checks at the Regional Offices and accepted 7.880 online payment requests.  The total amount of funds disbursed today at the RO's was $25,785,000. The total amount of funds pending for online requests is $23,640,000. Those who processed their requests online will receive payments via snail mail in approximately six business days.
• The highest trafficked ROs at this point are in Washington, D.C., Waco, TX, and Chicago, IL. 
• There have not been any major “SNAFUS.” But, some RO’s around the country are reporting slow lines. 
• The RO staff in D.C. provided pizza for those standing in line at lunch time.  Of course, this is a high-profile RO, so don’t count on a free lunch at your local RO.

 

Additional Information
The following additional details were added to the VA’s GI Bill Website today:

1. Only one payment is authorized per veteran, up to $3,000. Depending on which GI Bill program in which you are enrolled.
Here is how it breaks down:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill $3,000
• Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty $3,000
• Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve $1,000
• Reserve Education Assistance Program $2,000
• Post Vietnam Era Educational Assistance Programs $1,000

2. You can apply on-line at advancepay.gibill.va.gov or you can go to your nearest VA regional office to receive an advance pay. A list of VA regional offices is available at the Veterans Benefits Administration Website.

Advance payments through the on-line application process will be issued by the U. S. Treasury within 3 workdays (Monday through Friday) following submission of your request. Payments will be in the form of a check sent through the U.S. mail. You should therefore anticipate an additional 3 days (excluding Sundays) for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver your checks.

3. Starting on October 2, regional offices will be open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays for advance payments. Regional offices will also be open on Saturday, October 3, from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. 

Read all the FAQs.

Comments

[auto insurance quotes]

I am wondering if anyone has addressed the issue of why those of us going to school online do not receive BAH. It's not like we don't have housing just like everyone else getting the GI Bill.

[RetiredDC]

I went and obtain the advance payment and the next week, I received payment from the VA via Direct Deposit. I want to pay the Direct Deposit money back, but cannot find out how to do this. Does anyone know?

[Lisa]

I received my advance payment check in the mail today. It's actually a normal VA check that isn't handwritten.

I didn't get any e-mail notification when I requested it. I only knew it went through when I received the check.

[The Truth]

Juan,
Yes the housing allowance is prorated from the first day you start class.

[Juan M]

Does anyone know if the housing allowance is going to be prorated? so if my classes started at the end of Aug I will only get the allowance for those days?

[Kirk]

I did my paper work online on Tue. Do you get a email telling you what is going on with the $3000 or do you just get it in the mail.

[Mark]

Dependents are not elegible for the emergency payment. Even under the posr 9/11 transfer. This according to 2 out of 6 VA people I have talked to, that's right the other 4 said they are yet the RO in Montgomery, AL said no. If anyone knows any different please email me at lv20@charter.net.

Thank you

[Mark]

If anyone knows any different from above please email at lv20@charter.net.

Thank you

[Mark]

Also, if you are on active duty and transfered your benefits to a son or daughter, they ARE NOT eligible for the emergency payment. According to the Montgomery, AL Office it is for those "who Served" only.

[Steve]

I am new to this military.com sight. I was looking for a blog or information from retired military members who are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill but, are not eligible to transfer their benifits because they retired before Aug 01, 2009. Wanted to know if there was information or a petition or something in the works to get the Deputy secretary of defense (Bill Carr) to ammend DTM 09-003, it is unfair. Why are any active military members being allowed to tranfer their education benefits without committing to an additional 4 years service as per 3319 of the chapter 38 benefits per us law. The guy should be fired! The transfer part of this bill was intended to be used as a retention tool not a freebe. If people with 20 years service are allowed to transfer without re-enlisting then why not let retired people transfer also? Its no different. Not fair to retired veterans or their families. I did send an E-mail to Mr. Bill Carr today. Lets see if he responds.

[One Eyed WIllie Roscoe Jenkins]

Carrie,
It's because your not taking 50 % of your classes in school. The answer to that though is to take 2 classes on-line & two classes @ the school.

[Carrie]

I am wondering if anyone has addressed the issue of why those of us going to school online do not receive BAH. It's not like we don't have housing just like everyone else getting the GI Bill.

[Johnny]

A few things to consider before asking for the advance payment under the Post 911 GI BIll.

If you are not attending an IHL to get a degree (B.A., B.S., A.A., etc), then you better look closely at the rules, you are most likely not entitled to a monthly allowance.

Certificate degrees are not known to be qualified under Post 911 GI BILL.

If you are not enrolled more than 50% per term, that means full time is 12 units, 7 units would be more than 50%, then you better look closely at the rules, monthly allowance is most likely not an entitlement.

If you did not serve more than 90 days after 09/11/2001, do i say anymore.

Look at the rules. Or you might end up with an OVERPAYMENT.

Lastly, payments to schools are send directly to the school, not the veteran. Good luck to all. Save the money if you are not entitled, might need to pay back.

[Zercnavy]

I had my paperwork in over a month ago I have been going to school for 6 months now under ch 30. Still no word on when i am getting money signed up online because Regional Office is 3 hours away. They should notify you if you will receive these funds an email something. I was laid off of so I am bleeding money. Could not get a hold of anyone today on the phone to many callers kept getting disconnected. I really think they need more people to work on this. There are plenty of able bodied unemployed Veterans out there that could do this.

[Ally]

I applied for my check online and then today got my normal payment. I'm hoping the system didn't spit out a check for me....

[Steve]

I'm not sure if this will apply to me. I attend school quarterly and had made a change of attendance on August 10, 2009 of the summer quarter. I'm still attending school and I'm now in the fall quarter. I've been waiting for the VA to make the update to my verification of enrollment on the VA webiste since August. It's getting a little rough considering I'm laid off from work.

[Mac]

So when is this problem going to get fixed? I haven't seen this posted anywhere.

[Erik]

I am using the MGIB (Chapter 30). Got my monthly amount today in my direct deposit. It was on time without any problems! :)

[shaun syas]

I got my check today and surprisingly, when i went to the bank to deposit it, the funds were not available...So, in the end, this did not solve the problem or even put a band-aid on it because Monday I still have to plead with my school to not drop me from my courses for failure to pay

[One Eyed WIllie Roscoe Jenkins]

I'm still goign to be patient and wait on my check.