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 NEWS
 Time running out for troops, veterans to claim 'stop loss' pay By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service
 WASHINGTON, - Eligible servicemembers and  veterans have less than three months to apply for Retroactive "Stop  Loss" Special Pay. The special pay was approved by Congress as part of the  2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act. Servicemembers and veterans who  involuntarily served or were on "Stop Loss" from Sept. 11, 2001 to  Sept. 30, 2009, are entitled to $500 for each month served past their  contracted end-of-service, resignation or retirement date. "This additional money, this benefit, was granted by  Congress to recognize that continued service," Lernes "Bear" Hebert,  acting director of the Defense Department's Officer and Enlisted Personnel  Management office, said today in an interview with American Forces Press  Service and the Pentagon Channel. The Pentagon announced the program Oct. 21, 2009. Those  eligible must apply by Oct. 21, 2010, to receive compensation. And, survivors  of servicemembers who were under 'Stop Loss' orders are entitled to the  benefit. The Defense Department wants to ensure everyone eligible  for the special retroactive pay is compensated, Hebert said. "We only have three months left for individuals to  apply for this benefit," he said. "It's time to [apply] and get their  application in. Notify anyone you've served with, even if they have separated,  even family members of separated folks to apply." Each service has its own criteria and specific outreach  and application process. Members and veterans who qualify, or think they are  eligible for the special pay must contact their individual services for  eligibility requirements. Information about the program, procedures and points of  contact for each individual service can be found at www.defense.gov/stoploss So far $111 million has been paid out to 25,000 troops  and veterans affected by 'Stop Loss,' Hebert said. The average payout is $3,000  to $4,000 per claim, he added. The Pentagon has about $423 million left in the program's  fund. "Congress authorized a fairly generous number, so  we're not concerned about the money running out," Hebert said. "We  are concerned about individuals getting their applications in." The Pentagon and individual services have been reaching  out to qualified members, veterans and beneficiaries through direct mailings,  veteran services organization, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the  media. Those efforts will be ongoing through Oct. 21, 2010, as there is much  money left to be claimed, Hebert said. "The services have been doing tremendous outreach  trying to get to all the eligibles," he said. Initially there was a large response for claims under the  program, Hebert said, but applications have since slowed down. "Applications have tailed off," he said.  "We suspect that some individuals are either engaged or busy or haven't  taken the time to apply. Part of our continuing efforts is to remind them that  they only have about three months left to get their application in." Still, Hebert said he expects a surge of claims as the  deadline nears. He urges those who are eligible for the retroactive pay to take  advantage of it now. "Congress authorized this for a one-year  period," he said, noting it would require Congress to pass a new law in  order to extend the program. "This is firm, so individuals out there who  think they might be entitled to this benefit need to get their application  in." An estimated 145,000 servicemembers, veterans and  beneficiaries are entitled for the retroactive pay. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates maintains the authority  to extend military service during a period of national emergency, an authority  that dates back to 1983. Many of these "Stop Loss" troops were  extended involuntarily in order for their units to preserve manpower and  readiness in critical skill areas, Hebert said. "The department uses it sparingly and only when it's  absolutely necessary," he said. "It's contrary to the way we operate  the all-volunteer force, but it's necessary in times when you have very high  demands ... where you don't have a significant number of individuals with  particular skills that you might need during a national emergency. "It allows the department a bit of breathing room in  order to re-establish additional personnel in those specialties," he  added. The Army is the only service with currently-serving  troops affected by the 'Stop Loss' authority. But the Army is on track to have  all involuntary service ended by March next year, Hebert said. "['Stop Loss'] is a mechanism of last resort for  maintaining forces during a national emergency, so while the authority for  'Stop Loss' will still exist, the secretary has made it very clear ... he wants  the services not to use 'Stop Loss' at the current time," he said.
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