Over the last 12 months we have been contacted by a number of prior and current Servicemembers that thought they were eligible for post-9/11 GI Bill benefits but that the VA was reporting they were not eligible. As we investigated the issue we found that Troops who used the Montgomery GI Bill, and qualify for the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill are currently being told by their commanding officers that they have 72 months of eligibility: 36 from the Montgomery GI Bill and 36 from the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Furthermore, official documents presented to Servicemembers from DOD state the same: Servicemembers who used their Montgomery GI Bill are continuously promised full, 36 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and the ability to transfer 36 months their spouse or children. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), however, states that Servicemembers can earn a maximum of 48 months of benefits without exception, and will not honor these Servicemembers’ 36 months of additional eligibility they were promised by the DOD.
This miscommunication is causing Servicemembers to believe they have benefits that they can transfer to their children but when the child is ready to go to school they are told that they have no money to pay for their education. We are calling on the DOD and the VA to clarify policy and correct the misinformation. We are also asking that the VA look into how many Veterans this issue has impacted and consider extending benefits to them.
Read our White Paper on the issue!
Read our letter to Congress!
Read stories from some of the troops this has impacted Here and Here!
