Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 11/27/2008

Dear Sgt Shaft,
I served 22 years in the Navy. I would think that the limitations set as a 10 years date should be for each of 6 year contract served. My GI bill expired this year while I was working to pay bills. Now I am facing a layoff and will probably have time in the future to attend school or utilize the GI Bill benefits that I lost. Why is there not a retiree GI Bill amendment?

Regards,
Mark S
via the internet

Dear Mark

Read on

Dear Sgt. Shaft,
My name is Larry. . I was reading an article in your area of expertise from a veteran named Danny B. I myself just as him served in the military from 1987 to 1997. I am a Desert Storm Veteran and paid in my dues with money and sweat for my country. I recently submitted my paperwork to start college. I also had a lot on my plate for some number of years. After submitting my paperwork, I received a formal letter from the VA stating that I had let my benefits expire.

I am very disturbed myself, on how soldiers can put our money aside for education and fight for our country, only to have it taken away from us on a time limit. We should be able to use this money until the day our last breath is taken from us. I know there are certain circumstances where they will extend this, but they will not tell you how. Do you have any advice on how to work this problem out?

Deeply Concerned,
Desert Storm Vet.
Via the internet

Dear Mark and Larry,
New regulations allow veterans to use their GI Bill benefits up to fifteen years following separation or retirement. Unfortunately there is no retroactive provision.

You and other vets in similar circumstances highlight the need for a revisit by the newly elected Congress and administration.

Shaft Notes
More than 1,600 students will receive up to $5,000 each in interest- free loans from the Military Officers Association of America’s (MOAA) Scholarship Fund for the 2008-2009 school year. More than 515 of the students will be first-time recipients.

Students can apply online at MOAA’s web site for the loans, which are awarded annually for up to five years of undergraduate study. Students under age 24, who are children of former, active or retired officers or active or retired enlisted military personnel, are eligible to apply. Active duty, retired, Reserve, and National Guard officers and warrant officers of the seven uniformed services are eligible for MOAA membership.

If a child served in a Uniformed Service before completing college, however, his or her maximum age for eligibility will be increased by the number of years he or she served, up to five years. Applicants may be graduating high school seniors or full-time college students working toward their first undergraduate degree.

Qualified students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale are considered for selection based on their scholastic ability, potential, participation in extracurricular and community activities, as well as financial need.

In addition to the more than 1,600 interest free-free loans, MOAA will award 19 grants to college seniors who are current loan recipients in the Program, 8 grants to children of deceased retired officers, and at least 50 grants to children whose military parent died in active service. All of the 19 senior grants will be for at least $5,000 each. Also, 793 of those receiving the interest- free loan are Designated Scholars who receive a $5,000 interest-free loan and a $500 grant.

A Designated Scholarship is a permanent named grant that will continue in perpetuity. Each year both a grant and an interest-free loan are awarded in honor of the loved one, friend, or colleague designated by the donor.

The MOAA Scholarship Fund has given nearly 10,000 students interest-free loans totaling more than $71.2 million since its inception in 1948.

For MOAA Scholarship Fund applications for the 2009-2010 school year, or for more information on making a contribution to the Fund, please visit MOAA’s web site at www.MOAA.org/education or email edassist@MOAA.org.

Students may apply online beginning November 3, 2008. The application deadline is 12 noon EST, March 2, 2009.

U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19) and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) recently announced that the President has signed into law a comprehensive veterans benefit bill which included their legislation to overhaul the VA's disability claims bureaucracy. Congressman Hall crafted the Disability Claims Modernization Act (H.R. 5892) and pushed it through the House. U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) introduced companion legislation in the Senate and helped secure its Senate passage.

"This law will comprehensively modernize the Veterans Benefits Administration and make it more accountable," said Hall, Chairman of the House Veterans Subcommittee on Disability Assistance. "It will help the VA become a 21st century, world-class entity that fulfills its purpose of serving our veterans, their families, and survivors."

"This is a victory for all of the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line to defend the freedoms we hold dear," said Senator Clinton. "I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Congressman Hall to help pass this legislation that will streamline the VA disability benefits system so that it works for our veterans and not against them. Ensuring that a system is in place that cuts through the red tape to deliver the benefits that our veterans have earned is essential to keeping our promise as a nation to honor their service."

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-257-5446 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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