Veterans React to Implementation of GI Bill Emergency Check Procedure

by: Richard Allen Smith

Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 16:39:59 PM EDT

Secretary Shinseki Announces Ability to Sign Up for Emergency Education Benefit Payments on VA Web-Site this Friday

September 30, 2009

Vans to Help Veteran-Students

WASHINGTON - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.

"Our Veterans went the extra mile for their country," Shinseki said. "One of our top priorities in transforming VA is to be, first and foremost, the advocate for Veterans."

Last week Shinseki announced that on Friday, Oct. 2, VA's 57 regional benefits offices will begin providing on-the-spot emergency payments up to $3,000 to students who have applied for their education benefits but who have not yet received a government payment.

Citing the distance many Veterans would have to travel to apply in person at a VA benefits office, Shinseki announced Veterans can also apply online at www.va.gov, starting Oct. 2.  The online application will guide Veterans through the process to supply needed information.  Shinseki noted that online applicants will receive their emergency payments through the mail after processing.

"VA is adapting to meet the financial needs of our Veteran-students who are on campus," Shinseki said. "They should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties."

Students without their own transportation can also request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest benefits office.  To obtain this service, Veterans would have to call their nearest VA medical center and ask for the "Volunteer Transportation Coordinator."  Transportation will be on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Veterans can find a map and list of medical centers at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1.

Whether traveling by personal vehicle or volunteer van, VA officials suggest students check their mail boxes and banking accounts before leaving home, since some Veterans will find their checks have already arrived.  VA would like to recognize the volunteers and Veterans Service Organizations for partnering with the Department to ensure that Veterans' needs are met.

The emergency checks are an advance on each student's education benefits, and the amount will be deducted from future benefits payments.  Checks will be written at the regional offices for Veterans who bring a photo ID and evidence of their enrollment.  VA officials emphasize that $3,000 is the maximum payment, with many Veterans receiving smaller payments based upon their likely monthly education benefits.

A map and list of the participating VA regional benefits offices is available on the Internet at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=3.  The most updated information regarding VA issuing emergency checks will be available at VA's web site www.va.gov starting Oct. 1.

Applications from approximately 25,000 Veterans are currently being processed for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit payments to students or schools.

In response, VoteVets.org released the following statement:

VETERANS REACT TO VETERANS AFFAIRS ANNOUNCEMENT ON GI BILL CHECKS

WASHINGTON DC - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that veterans who have seen a delay in receiving their new GI Bill benefits will have the option of going online to get expedited checks, in addition to picking them up in person at VA offices, and outposts on college campuses (http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1790).  VoteVets.org's Brian McGough, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, and legislative director for the group issued the following statement in response:

"Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs again showed it is willing to quickly adapt and move to meet the needs of today's veterans.  By offering veterans waiting for their GI Bill benefits the chance to go online to get them sent on an expedited basis, the VA has made a tough situation for veterans a lot easier.  This is the kind of quick action that has been missing from the agency for the past eight years, and gives us great hope for the future of veterans care under this administration.

"Again, the delay in GI Bill benefits was an inexcusable problem, but the quick and dramatic response to address the issue has been outstanding.  Last week we said that after talks with staff at the VA to work on this issue, we were more than satisfied that they were moving quickly in the right direction, and today continues to validate our assessment.  VoteVets.org is proud to have played a role in working with the VA to get this issue resolved."

VoteVets.org is the leading progressive, pro-military organization of veterans, dedicated to the destruction of terror networks around the world, with force when necessary.  It primarily focuses on education and advocacy on issues of importance to the troops and veterans, and holding politicians accountable for their actions on these issues.