Vets Find it Hard to Cash Emergency GI Bill Checks

VA Seeking Assistance of Nation’s Banks in Cashing Emergency Education Payments for Veteran-Students

So far the biggest glitch in the VA GI Bill Emergency Payment process is that several veterans are finding it hard to cash their GI Bill advance payment checks. In some cases it was a matter of bank policy to hold funds until the check clears. This is further complicated because the checks are handwritten US Bank checks which may have seemed odd to the banks.

At any rate the VA is asking banks to help. In addition the VA is offering a toll-free number for banks to verify the authenticity of the checks. 

See the VA's official letter below:

From VA - The Department of Veterans Affairs is issuing advance educational benefit payments to Veteran-students in the form of US Bank business checks. These emergency checks are issued in amounts not to exceed $3,000 for Veteran-students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their VA payment. VA's 57 regional offices began issuing these checks to eligible Veteran-students across the country on Friday, October 2, 2009.

VA is soliciting the support of local and national banks to honor and cash these emergency checks written to our Nation's Veteran-students.

In many cases these checks are handwritten and could pose concerns of fraud from banks. Therefore, VA has established the following special customer service call-in numbers for banks to verify the validity of any US Bank check brought to them by a Veteran.

1-800-827-2166

Banks calling these numbers will be connected directly to a VA employee who can access to all necessary information to verify who the check was issued to, the check number and dollar amount of the check, and whether the check was previously cashed or not.

Comments

[alex21]

I don't know about this anymore...We signed on the dotted line and where told to hold our promise to serve true and were warned on what would happen if we didn't stick to our word. I was told I would get my benefits to go to school and now all of a sudden "oh wait, yeah about that money we promised you..." I don't think the military would like it if my unit got activated and I said "yeah I know I said I would deploy when you needed me at the time of signing but I changed my mind and I don't wanna go this time"

Don't make promises you can't keep, if the winter comes and I don't get my money to go to school I'm going to volunteer to go Afghanistan because I can't afford to be more broke...If something happens to me over there then it won't be on me

[auto insurance quotes]

For the person saying to stop complaining. When we enlist in the military they inform us of the GI Bill. Obviously when u join the PD or the Fire Department, they don't offer a GI Bill. We were offered this college benefit and the majority of us paid into it, no matter what amount. They promised us this benefit for risking our lives for this country. I'm sure you've complained about something in your lifetime. Some of us font come from high income families and I don't know if u realize, we don't get paid much for serving our country. I know Police Officers and Firefighters make really good money. Do before you open your mouth, educate yourself on the subject. We earned this benefit and when we plan everything around being full time students to beoutlived lives and be more productive members of society, we expect to get our payments. If u don't get paid at work, would u complain? If u want the same benefit, enlist in the military.

[VA Advocate]

Yes you earned your GI Bill benefits. Do you realize you have also paid for federal benefits such as pell grants and student loans through taxes? What would you do if you were not a veteran expecting GI Bill? The same thing everyone else does. Hmm a novel concept eh? As a veteran, and one who pursued a BA degree after the military I could not pay all of my schooling, bills, daycare on just my GI Bill. It is a fact and the cost of education. I love the expectation that a GI Bill check will be waiting for you on the first day of school. NOT. It is retro, and has always been. Other articles quote veteran students living on their credit cards while waiting for checks. Get a grant, or a student loan that is either interest free or 4.5%. Get a VA work-study postion which is tax free. I agree with those that say you should have planned for this 100%. I work in Government now as a Vet Advocate, and I always remind people the only thing the goverenment does quickly is collect taxes. When the post 9/11 GI Bill was announces last year, VA came forward and told congress they did not have the system in place for the influx of apps they would receive. Get informed, use all your resources, and suck it up and drive on...

[The Truth]

Trust & believe your dealing with the govt. and that emergency 3K will be recovered.

[sammytki]

I had a direct deposit in my account for books and the partial Aug and full Sept stipend. This is in addition to the $3K that was mailed a couple of weeks ago.

I thought i wouldn't see another deposit til December. We'll see what happens. Not going to touch it.

But somehow i get the feeling that the emergency $3K will never be recovered.

[T.Jackson]

I was wondering if there was any way to get an extension on your G.I.Bill Benefits if you are close to your experation date but currently attending school?

[drjefflehew]

I do not blame the VA for anything; to include the different issues I have had for more than the 17 years since my Career Transition and Alumni rating; and "VA" was part of it; still having issues proving things were "service" connected that were "evaluated" by VA while on ACTIVE DUTY; LMAO (so now I see kids still getting asked do YOU HAVE ANY PROOF) and it kills me; as well "No sir; my Colonel would not SIGN THE LETTER for you; while the explosions were going OFF; so you could EVALUATE ME LATER? I ASKED: he said GET OUT OF HIS HOOCH" or even THIS CHECK SCAM/SCHEME by BANKS DRAWING INTEREST....MY FIELD NOW...am a PhD; and THEY MAKE LIQUID MONEY ON THOSE CHECKS IN THE BILLIONS PER NIGHT ON HOLD IN "THEIR ACCOUNTS" IT IS A CRIME>>NOT A SHAME BUT A CRIME...and they would get NOTHING in penalties but a "OOPS"...if CAUGHT...or a NIGHT IN THE OVAL OFFICE; of "ANY PRESIDENT" not this one; but ANY.....IT IS A CRIME to LET THEM DO THAT TO SOLDIERS MONEY; and they have done it "HELD" US TREASURY CHECKS; PRETENDING THEY ARE "FAKE" for YEARS; KNOWING FULL WELL THEY ARE NOT! (THEY CAN TELL; JUST DON'T WANT TO RELEASE THE FUNDS FROM THEIR ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE; HURTS THE MONTHLY TAKE YOU SEE????)

[steve]

I will say this as a Marine vet with 4 tours in the sandbox. I am appalled at how vets are treated in this world. All I wanted was a job and to go to school with the GI Bill that I paid for. I got laid off in on July 4 of all days and now that i am finnally going to school i find that my savings are gone my checking account has dropped below the tripple digets and I still have not received a confirmation letter for my ED benifits or my check. I'm not going to lie this is the first time in my life that I have had to choose between eating going to school and paying my bills this is bullshit I'm a vet and have earned not only my right to my education benifits but the right to employment. Vets should not be having these kinds of problems when we get out. Also as far as people who don't have the GI Bill or can't afford to go to school, sounds to me like they need to suck it up and quit being cowards and serve something greater then themselves.

[Alex H]

For the person saying to stop complaining. When we enlist in the military they inform us of the GI Bill. Obviously when u join the PD or the Fire Department, they don't offer a GI Bill. We were offered this college benefit and the majority of us paid into it, no matter what amount. They promised us this benefit for risking our lives for this country. I'm sure you've complained about something in your lifetime. Some of us font come from high income families and I don't know if u realize, we don't get paid much for serving our country. I know Police Officers and Firefighters make really good money. Do before you open your mouth, educate yourself on the subject. We earned this benefit and when we plan everything around being full time students to beoutlived lives and be more productive members of society, we expect to get our payments. If u don't get paid at work, would u complain? If u want the same benefit, enlist in the military.

[Im Just Saying]

My husband classes started Monday he received his check Thursday, Tuesday (today) it cleared, NFCU Virginia.

[sammytki]

Finally received my official award letter in the mail. It was dated 15 October. The school certifying official sent in my info on the 20th of August. I did have all my info in to them in May - but that is another story.

So 9 weeks to process.

Good luck all

[Jackie Aldridge]

Get a better bank. Bank of America never pulled this stunt on me. Not once in the last forty years.

[captain america]

back in the day soldiers were paid cash by a paymaster....designate a senior VA employee @ each VA office and count out those benjamins for our brave men and women VETS....lord knows we lost and had stolen at least 2 C17 loads of cash in THE IRAQ...and i'm pretty sure the bad guys didn't use the money for education!!!

[pj]

Okay so yes, if you are military vet, you have earned your money for school. Yes, it may take a while to recieve it, but dont go blaming everyone for your lack of planning. If you dont have back up savings before entering college, then its your faught, not Bank of America, etc.... or the VA. So much complaining. If I recall correctly, most people dont pay but 1200 for the GI BILL, whereas, police officers, fireman,etc other people who help protect and care for others in this country dont have a GI BILL. They have to get student loans/most have to pay them back. So before you blame everyone is for your problems think of all the students who have to use there own money for college or not even get to go...

[Luvp]

Has any one out there even gotten paid for their 911 g/I benefits . Am I alone in this as to not getting paid

[erika]

Tony, no, in order to get these particular funds, you had to have been on active duty on or after sept. 11, 2001.

[The Truth]

Mike,
They won't be sending you a check until the full 3,000 is recoupped.

[Lee]

Cashing checks is dependent upon your relationship with your bank. They look at your average account balance and length of time with the bank. If short on either qualification they will want to place a hold.

A polite manner and asking for the manager will normally get the hold released. If a tuition bill is due and the bank holds your funds, just call the school finance department and let them know. If they push back, again, polite manner and asking for managers will get you some leeway. They won’t kick you out of school-they need you to pay the tuition. The worst they will do is hold your grades until they are paid, just keep going to class.

If you don't have a bank account, the big retail banks are normally the best place to get one because they are usually more sophisticated in handling people's problems -- they have seen it before.

All of this is a matter of trust; bankers get burned all of the time by the unscrupulous. Their jobs are protected only if they follow policy by checking stuff. However, Old Sea Dog Bankers can size you up and will do the appropriate thing if they are allowed time to evaluate you and your situation.

Angry confrontation is a technique used by bad guys, so if you do that, most of us Bankers won’t violate policy by releasing the hold.

[mike]

Thanks Atlanta Regional offic. I walked up at 0900 stood in line for 20 minutes and the processor was professional courteoeus and sincere she asked what did i need i said i want 3000she wrote my check out and i cashed at a western union store it cost me 60 dollars but no hold thanks again VA now if you guys can not take it all back next month all at once that would be great

[Revwillie]

Tony, Go to the Financial Aide Office of the School you are attending. Talk to them. They have pell grants, VA funds from the GI Bill, and Other Grants you would qualify for. Try to do it today.

[Call center phantom]

Michael, in fact the opposite of what you were told is true. With Transfer of Entitlement cases, the claimant (i.e. benefit transferee) is the only person that is able to access any information on his/her claim unless we have a permission to speak to 3rd party form on file. It's a privacy compliance issue and one that often frustrates callers.

[Michael Rittley]

My niece is trying to get payment for her school from the transfered GI Bill/911 but has not received any payment. When she called the number, they said they could not help her, that the primary beneficiary (her father) had to call in. He is deployed of course.
Any recommendations or solutions!!!???

[APACed]

Normally, a machine-produced government check can be treated like a cash deposit and drawn on almost immediately. A handwritten US Bank check would be a cause for suspicion and if I were a banker, I'd hold back funds subject-to-collection.

IMHO, it's sloppy work on the part of the government but at least the VA is working to get money into the hands of its vets.

[Monica]

I live here in Savannah Ga. I had to go to Decatur Ga to get my check. I took me 10 min. I took it to Geovista Credit Union at Hunter Army Airfield to be deposited into my checkings account. When I gave them teh check and the memorandum, they were hesitant to cash it. The branch manager called the 1-800 number but got an answereing service. They told me they would put teh check on hold until they verify its authenticity. I called the bank the next day to see if the funds were available and they were. So, I had a good experience. I Got the check in 10 minutes and was able to cash it and pay the school some of it teh next day. I think the VA is doing a good deed. I haven't gotten my regular benefits since August. So I really needed the money desparately. I was 2 semesters behind, so with that money I was able to catch up.

[Tony]

I served from 1975 to 1988 in the Navy. Am I eligible for any of these funds everyone is talking about?

I've been taking out loans and paying out of pocket for my education and anything would be a welcome break to draining my account each quarter.

Thanks,

Tony

[M. Davis]

I knew the VA was useless when I joined in '84. When I punched out in '04 I wasn't shocked by their lack of organizational skills. All Government run programs are worthless except for the employees sucking on the program funds.

[ramadan.alhamdi]

50.000us..libya. 218913699969...ramadan.alhamdi libya.trblo

[Laura]

Just want to say I really feel for all you're going through.I work for a fabulous local credit union & think it's the perfect time to help educate/remind anyone about the benefits of a cu- we're for people, not profits like banks. People helping people. Several weeks ago we were informed of these checks coming & told not to put them on hold.Maybe it's time to try something different- check out a credit union- military or otherwise (we are mil!).Good luck to all.

[captain america]

isn't all this cash these banks are withholding from our VETS taxpayer tarp money???? WHAT A SYSTEM!

[scotty]

i got check in less than 10 minutes ,and took it to navy federal credit union, quantico, and waited the normal 5 days.....trust your instruments....use your resources...they work.....go navy

[Akula]

Yawn. I got out in 94 and used the GI Bill. Why is everyone so poorly prepared? I didnt use the GI money for tuition, it was gas and pizza money. I had my money saved up before getting out to pay for the BA and MS. what is this like social security? no one saves money for retirement and expects a govt program to cover everything? wow. you remember how when you said the word "civilian" as if it was a term to describe dirt bag non military people. News flash ...they have been working in factories earning 3x your pay to do nothing. Everyone will tell you that employers want to hire vets. wake up you will be the only one in the factory saying "hey isnt this place running unsafe and ass backwards?" to which the rest of the workers will tell you if you dont like it theres the door. Welcome to the real world. Anyone that does business with Bank of America is a sheep. They are rated the worst yet people are to lazy or clueless to simply make a withdrawal and walk across the street and try business with a different bank. dang people wake up and use your brains! reading these posts just shows why the country is going down the toilet. everyone acts so helpless. how do some of you people survive without someone reminding you to breath?

[VAworker]

I apologize to every Vet out there and their families. I work at the VA and I type until my fingers are raw seven days a week. It is my mission to pay as many vets and schools that I can possibly pay in a day's time. We have a new system in place for the new GI bill and it has slowed us down tremendously. Please let me offer some advice, when you go to va.gov website to apply for ch33 post 9/11 state if you receive another benefit, example ch33 in lieu of ch30 and give a date that you want it effective, example class starts on 08/24/09 make it effective 08/23. Don't put the date July 3rd because it didn't go into effect till 08/01/09. The checks have to go through a three part process to be authorized that is what is slowing everything down. Yes you can always say the one in charge needs to be fired but that won't get you your money any faster, I'm sure if you asked anyone he would say his boss is stupid. Well you can't fix stupid. I hate to say please be patient but once your claim gets set up and your 99's come in from your school it will start working smoother... We work as fast as we can because we care. If you are already receiving ch30 exhaust it before applying for ch33 because if you have 6 months and 3 days left it transfers to 33 and that is all you get...ride it out, it's better for you in the long run. Yes ch33 pays housing if you are going more than half time and your sitting in the classroom, online learning doesn't count. If you are Active Duty you receive 100% of tuition and fees, that's it, can't give you housing because you already are given that. If you are approved at 100% eligibility ask if the school has yellow ribbon..it really helps your responsibilty of whats left to pay. If you are only entitled to 50% the school can't help you with YR. We all want the same result! Thank you for serving!

[Tara G.]

I am thinking about making a You Tube video about this. Supposedly, that is what one man had to do in order to get Bank of America to finally be willing to listen to his issue. I am seriously shocked and appalled. We have made FOUR trips to Bank of America to resolve this claim so far, and have lost time from school, work, etc. This is completely unacceptable. We were told the hold would last 18 days, possibly longer. We are at day 13 now, after having provided them the VA letter THREE times.

[James Wilson]

Your telling me that the Veteran can not deposit their check in a bank account or checking account ?

Call the FBI if a Bank refuse a check from the Federal Government.

3 to 5 days to clear !!!!

[Tara G.]

We are also having a HECK of a time. Our bank never told us about the hold, either, took the letter, the teller "verified" it, and then chaos ensued a day later when we were informed of the hold on our account, by virtue of checking our online info. We've made several trips to the bank, have called HQ and complained, have emailed and complained, and have even filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. We relied on that money to our detriment (my husband and I are both veterans, who are now in school full time - me in law school, him in undergrad). This is the poorest treatment of vets I have ever witnessed. It is named "emergency relief" for a reason. We have handed the letter over once, and faxed it in TWICE now, and still no one seems to be willing or able to help us. Thanks, Bank of America, for appreciating our service! Apparently Bank of America employees are so incompetent that it has now taken 13 days to call the 1-800 number listed on our VA letter to verify the check, and we have been told it is going to take another 5+ days.

[The Truth]

I want to know why the VA can't tell me who payed the school !

[Michael M.]

Thank you for the information, Veteran68! I appreciate to know now how it works.

[Michael M.]

I'm sorry to hear what's going on with you guys.
I'm in luck because my university "DeVry" stated that they will not kick me out regardless of how long it takes. They know I'm a veteran and they know the money will eventually come in, which it is..we just have to be patient. Well, I'm glad that such a school is patient and confident. I'm starting a 2nd semester without paying them a dime which I appreciate for them doing.

[dani23]

@ Joe

ALL us vets have EARNED the right to receive the GI Bill..thing is, some of us have been using the Bill for some time now. The system is not flawed, however, it has become overwhelmed with an enormous amount of paperwork because of the influx of 'new' GI Bill. Of course VA could have had persons do paperwork a year in advance if they were planning to be be a part of the 'new" Gi Bill to cut down on the extensive paperwork that is now clogging the system, however, I do not feel the system is flawed. Many people have had an opportunity to use their GI Bill prior to the change, however, many are using if now in order to get the money, plain and simple! Yes, there are always those that are the exception, but I guess you are seeing things in black and white.

I'm sure you have never had to deal with a backlog of paperwork, and even though you were working as much as possible, you could not finish the work in a timely manner as you predicted, and others wanted...SAME CASE! Point is, you, me, and everyone else can be as upset as you want, however, when they get to the point where things are running smoothly, then everyone will get their money in a the manner they should be receiving it. I'm sitting waiting for money from two months back, do I want it?? Of Course...when will I get it? When they have processed me. Must everything have to be a pissing contest..it's not under yours or my control.

[M.D]

Please don't pick on people for needing the money. Times have changed and situations have as well. These days it is hard to find a job so having multiple to pay for school is asking to much. Don't forget it takes money to go to school, child care isn't cheap especially if it is evening hours. Each person is has a different reason for wanting or needing the money, but all have earned it. Also isn't nice that they protect the rights for all of use to complain about it? And for those of you who are nice enough to tell people to plan on it, please plan on the horrific car crash you are going to get into and wish that I was able to further my education so I can save your life when I get there. To bad I couldn't pay for my classes....

[Comnavhouspac]

Most of you on here are veterans, well I'm not. I'm a spouse who's husband is deployed and it's up to me to figure all this out. Our child is attending college and the money from this GI Bill will help immensely paying for it. I'm thankful that we have this, but I can only tell the school so many times please be patient. Would be nice to have the payments start BEFORE the 1st semester ends so they don't drop my child from school!
Please don't tell me I should have "planned" better for our children's education or should have worked harder to save for it. That's insulting to everyone. We did have money set aside, but it sure doesn't go very far right now, considering tuitions, cost of living, fees, etc, etc. have all gone way up since they were born. I'm sure glad you have it so much better than the rest us...good for you, but don't insult the rest of us when you don't have a clue what our lives are like. *rant over*

[Joe Eshleman]

Well, Posted by: dani23 | October 13, 2009 at 10:34 AM, after reading your post, where among other things, you suggested that vets were jumping on the band wagon just for the money, my response to you is in your first nine words "I really have no clue why people are complaining."

Don't you think it's enough that they are being screwed by a broken system? or do you think they also need to have a fellow vet to basically say quit crying about it?

[Joe Eshleman]

Well, dani23 | October 13, 2009 at 10:34 AM, I think the first line in your post ("I really have no clue why people are complaining.") pretty much says it all.

Methinks maybe you should look a bit deeper into your crystal ball so you can really get the answers you are looking for and to perhaps show you what the financial circumstances are of those vets, who have by-the-way EARNED what they are not receiving, who you consider to be jumping on the band wagon just for the money.

Gawd I hate this term, but been there and done that.

Respectfully,

joe e

[lrb]

I am curious to see what happens in November, since this is a one time emergency fund. With only a few claims a day being processed on a slow system, we should expect our benefits, sometime in January. Unless the VA starts to pass out checks again...

[lrb]

a. It's one thing to depend on someone, but to drop what you did have going and depend on someone who promised to provide you a benefit is another topic. I worked three jobs and went to school; I stopped working one job to concentrate on school. I have one full time job and occasionally make it to my second job, because I want to keep my GPA at a 4.00. Luckily, I have a good paying full time and part time job while attending school. What angers me is that others who gave up working expecting to receive a benefit are not receiving it. To me its money owed that I do not need at this moment. For others its money needed to survive. Have you checked the Education website today? Only 1921 Post 9/11 claims were processed over this three day weekend, while 8444 claims for other benefits were processed. What is wrong with that picture? No one is being held accountable for this. For people saying that everyone is waiting for handouts, is ridiculous. If you had an employer who didn't pay you on time, you would be upset. Most people while in the military didn't have the luxury to attend school because they were deployed too much or their unit didn't allow it. Therefore, those of you saying that no one used their benefits while in the military need to stop. Not everyone was able to attend school.

[sandra]

What a horrible experience! First of all, I went through the drive thru at my bank, after providing an answer to the teller after requesting an explanation as to why the check was hand written, only then did she inform me she could not cash the check. I then went inside the bank to a teller who immediately processed the check without any questions. Just in case, I had a letter which was provided to me when the check was issued, the letter included the 1.800 number for banks to call for verification/authenticity. Nothing was asked of me by the teller. On Saturday I received a letter in the mail informing me the check was going to be held for elven business days because it could not be verified. As you know the bank was closed on Monday. I went to the bank on Tuesday and spoke with the head teller, who also signed off on the letter stating it could not be cashed. I explained to the teller who and why the check was issued. Attempted to inform her of the documentation I had, but was rudely interrupted. I explained my discontentment for not being notified by phone that the check would be held, which would have simply giving me the opportunity to make a decision as to what I wanted to do. After conversation back and forth, I requested to speak to her supervisor who was apparently not in, I then asked for the next available person and the teller told me, "There isn't anyone else, I run everything up here!" Needless to say, I had to walk outside to make sure I contained my composure. Five minutes later I returned and requested to speak to the bank manager. When the teller overheard me asking for the manager, she got on the phone and began to verify "whatever" and asked for my social security number. I went in to see the bank manager and explained my dilemma regarding the check as well as with his teller. I also provided the manager with the letter I was given and politely suggested he make a copy, he did. The manager also immediately removed the hold from my funds. What's so horrible? The teller and I have been knowing one another for about 25 years; I am an investigator with the city police department who has worked heaven knows how many financial crimes for the bank! I divulged all this information to the manager, he apologized for the inconvenience and could not help but agree that the teller should have cashed the check. He was also not aware the checks were being issued. The teller stated she had received numerous checks, but none could be verified by US Bank. She obviously was not interested in going a step further to assist the veterans!

[Rob]

I'm still amazed there are those idiots posting comments telling people they should stop complaining. Hey "nam" guy, we are great because we don't let slack-asses stay in charge. That is what the head of the VA is. We should not let poor government service go by. We didn't let that happen when we were in the service. We would always push for improvement. The VA is providing poor service and it needs to be corrected, PERIOD!!!! The way it is being corrected isn't even acceptable. Those of you who say we should stop complaining, shut up. Let us correct the dis-service

[StaciI]

I just wanted to say the I am to waiting for my GI Bill to kick in. And I am one of those relying on this GI Bill money to live on. I spent 7 and a half years in the Marine Corps thinking that when I got out I would to get a good job. I even have a security clearance, great fitness reports, and great references. I don't know how many jobs I applied for even with MCCS. Do you think I got an interview? No! Anyway, if it weren't for my husband still being in the Marine Corps, we'd probably be living in South Dakota off of my mom or working or the family business. Which really isn't one of my life goals. So not only am I waiting for this money to pay my bills, I am also using it to pay for my school which will get me a better job so I can my more money than my E-6 husband!! So I do think the VA needs to get a little more organized and they should've had all their ducks in a row before they started to make promises. They knew what needed to be done and they should've expected a high volume of requests.

[albright]

Can anybody tell me if the military, helps you out if you lose your job and your wife loses her job? But the reason you lost you job, well there is no reason at all, bc if you missed work you had a dr excuse, and this is working title 10 job also by the way

[Ares download]

It's great that people are passionate about helping our Veterans. It's sad, however, that they are still having such trouble living their lives after their service. We don't delay their deployment dates, so don't delay their payment.