Payments to Veterans Awaiting VA Education Benefits
October 1, 2009
From VA Website
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has authorized advance payments up to $3,000 for Veterans who applied for VA educational benefits and who have not yet received their monthly education payments.
If you are a Veteran who has applied for one of VA’s education programs and have not yet received your monthly benefit payment for the Fall 2009 term. Starting Friday October 2nd, you can request advance payment through this website, advancepay.gibill.va.gov.
Advance payments will be issued by the U. S. Treasury within 3 workdays (Monday through Friday) following submission of this 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 check.
You can also visit one of VA’s 57 regional offices across the country to immediately receive an advance payment. You will need to bring a government-issued photo ID and your course schedule when you visit the regional office. A list of VA’s regional offices is available at www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/offices.asp.
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.
The advance payments will be reconciled with future education payments owed to you.
I applied for the advance payment and I recieved it in 6 days I have no complaints my check was issued as a government check and not handwritten.
Posted by: sharia | October 16, 2009 at 03:59 PM
The wait is now 12 to 16 weeks !
Posted by: The Truth | October 15, 2009 at 05:31 AM
The vets overseas do not qualify for the advance payment. I have the post 9/11 and I have been in school since Auguest. I have mid terms next week and I still have not recieved a penny. I don't know about anyone else but I quit my job to go to school and I am a single mother who hasn't worked in three motnths. Can sombody please tell me what I need to do. I am behind on my rent and they are threatening to kick me out. I have been certified since May 19th! If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Thanks.... I am need of serious help, I feel terribly lost and frustrated!
Posted by: Ruth Katherine | October 10, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I received my check in the maily yesterday - Wednesday the 7th. I applied on Friday the 2nd
Posted by: sammytko | October 08, 2009 at 11:02 AM
THE CHECK IS IN TH MAIL: THe Press Release by the Secretary indicated "emergency money on hand, on-the-spot", but instead you file online and expect a check with 3 days? When was the last time you receive something in the mail that took 3 days? "Yes, the check is in the mail, we cannot send you another until we trace the other one." Does thi sound fimilar. The on-the-spot check requires you to travel to the nearest Regional Office which in Texas it could be as far or farther than 200 miles. At least a 5 hour drive depending (one way) on the traffic in Houstion, TX. This does not include the waiting time, etc. So, maybe after 10 or so hours you will get your check, providing everything checks out? The VA is about 100% accurate om something going wrong. Yes, this is the VA attempt to help veterans get emergency money on the spot gor school? Maybe they could have given the money to the schools where this guys are going to, afterall they are enrolled there. There would be no dispute and NO ANGER because the VA screwed up. Good job Mr. Shinseki. Another. "Somebody does somebody wrong". This song reminds me of when I was in Vietnam, so many years ago. You would figure THEY could get something RIGHT by NOW!
Posted by: Simon A | October 08, 2009 at 10:23 AM
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.
Posted by: Steve | October 07, 2009 at 01:19 PM
I have recieved payment !
Posted by: The Truth | October 07, 2009 at 07:53 AM
Why should I receive an emergency payment.
I was certified on July 26th. I have received 233 out of 350 dollars book money, tuition for 8 out of 14 credits at 70%.
I have YET to receive a BAH payment.
Tell me it's a school certifying issue. The VA dropped the ball and is only further delaying things with adding an emergency payment step to an already messed up process.
Posted by: Jon | October 07, 2009 at 02:12 AM
Jessica, I hope you do get your back pay, I got an email saying the VA had received my report of registration but it was only for 10 credit hours and I am taking 14. I haven't gotten any money yet, but I can't get ahold of the school VA office to have them resubmit. I'm gonna go get my $3,000 tomorrow, you should do the same.
Posted by: Adam | October 06, 2009 at 11:57 PM
You just have to suck it up and wait like the rest of us
Posted by: One Eyed WIllie Roscoe Jenkins | October 02, 2009 at 04:57 AM
I am very upset, as a single mom and I have paid for my MGI Bill while I was active duty. I am going to school for more than 12 credit hours, I submitted my attendence and I am only getting half of what I am owed. The claim was put in back in August and still haven't been processed. I am not able to pay my rent today due to them not able to process the claim or pending documents. I have three kids go to school full time and work two ten hour days. I need my back money, and when I called the VA rep said there was nothing he could do to fix my credit hours and process my back payment for August. What am I suppose to do? I am need of help, and the people I thought that could help me have failed me.
Posted by: Jessica | October 01, 2009 at 03:18 PM