over! or is it? I finally received my money after a lot of calling and begging about but there are still a lot of Vets out there that have been waiting even longer than I. After calling over and over and over, waiting 3 months for my GI bill to come, going to to major dept doing so, I finally was able to talk to some one who could help me. She checked my file, like others said they did, and told me that the reason why I was not getting money is because they had notes saying that my name was wrong... I asked nicely for the person to repeat the spelling of my name... and she did... surprise surprise... the name was correct! haha yeah the name was correct. She looked into it more... then said... my account to my bank was wrong... again... repeated the information and once again... my info was correct. She went ahead and put a rush on the payment and sent the money into my account within three days.
I just do not understand what happened? what went wrong? Why did the VA NOT call and ask if my info was correct or not? WHY WHY WHY? people out there are having a hard time living especially why going to school FULL TIME and having a family to raise in an economy that does not have a lot of work. Please VA, President Obama, Politicians, and whom ever that can make things happen look into why this is happening. It is unacceptable and wrong. I, as well as millions of others have served our country with pride and would like to be rewarded with what was promised in the first place.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Another attempt to contact my congressman
So I have tried contacting my congressman, Pete Stark, and with no reply to try to help me deal with the VA... so here is what I sent him:
Dear Mr. Stark,
I emailed you a while back and have still to receive an email, or phone call back from you or your office.
I am a veteran of war who recently started to attend school under the new benefits. The benefits are great but I have not seen a dime of the money owed to me. I received the emergency check to catch up on some bills but I am falling behind once again. I have 4 children and it is hard to provide with jobs being limited and me going to school full time. I sure hope there is a way you can put some pressure on the VA since I have been waiting for them to pay me and my school since August 6th. I have had individuals tell me that they have applied for the same benefit this month and have already received their checks and others who have applied in late August and have their checks. I have called numerous of times and no one wants to help. I sure hope trying to contact a congressman to help some one who has defended his country with pride is not the same way.
Thank you for reviewing my letter and thank you for any help you may be able to provide.
Dear Mr. Stark,
I emailed you a while back and have still to receive an email, or phone call back from you or your office.
I am a veteran of war who recently started to attend school under the new benefits. The benefits are great but I have not seen a dime of the money owed to me. I received the emergency check to catch up on some bills but I am falling behind once again. I have 4 children and it is hard to provide with jobs being limited and me going to school full time. I sure hope there is a way you can put some pressure on the VA since I have been waiting for them to pay me and my school since August 6th. I have had individuals tell me that they have applied for the same benefit this month and have already received their checks and others who have applied in late August and have their checks. I have called numerous of times and no one wants to help. I sure hope trying to contact a congressman to help some one who has defended his country with pride is not the same way.
Thank you for reviewing my letter and thank you for any help you may be able to provide.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
No Pay still "We Are Working On It"
Sorry for not posting things but its been a depressing couple of months. With no payment, I was forced to go to Oakland to pick up an emergency check. I am happy that I went into the office since I am hearing horror stories of people not getting their checks in a timely manner when applying through the website set up.
Now the San Francisco Bay Area is not a cheap place to live, especially when you have kids, bills, and car payments to spend money on. It also does not help that the job market is not that great so you end up not being able to find a job even at a McDonalds. So with the Emergency money running low already, I called to see what is going on with my money.
I was fortunate to get through my second try (usually takes 30 - 40 min just to get on hold) and I explained to the rep on the phone my situation. I told her (though his name he told me was probably fake) John Smith, one of the supervisors said that I should be receiving payment by Oct. 7th (this is back in September) and that I have still to see that money. I also said that my classmate who sits next to me and submitted the paperwork at the exact same time and that others have received their money who have applied at a later date than me (I was told that they do the process in order and not random). Now I am very frustrated so ill sum up what she said... "We Are Working On It"
Its been since August 6th... no payment... what is going on?
I was also told to use the Q&A section to get through to the people who are processing my claim... I DID several times... no answer... I wrote congress people... NO ANSWER... tells you how much they care about the Vets who protected them and served them to live the way they do.
Thank you Uncle Sam.
Now the San Francisco Bay Area is not a cheap place to live, especially when you have kids, bills, and car payments to spend money on. It also does not help that the job market is not that great so you end up not being able to find a job even at a McDonalds. So with the Emergency money running low already, I called to see what is going on with my money.
I was fortunate to get through my second try (usually takes 30 - 40 min just to get on hold) and I explained to the rep on the phone my situation. I told her (though his name he told me was probably fake) John Smith, one of the supervisors said that I should be receiving payment by Oct. 7th (this is back in September) and that I have still to see that money. I also said that my classmate who sits next to me and submitted the paperwork at the exact same time and that others have received their money who have applied at a later date than me (I was told that they do the process in order and not random). Now I am very frustrated so ill sum up what she said... "We Are Working On It"
Its been since August 6th... no payment... what is going on?
I was also told to use the Q&A section to get through to the people who are processing my claim... I DID several times... no answer... I wrote congress people... NO ANSWER... tells you how much they care about the Vets who protected them and served them to live the way they do.
Thank you Uncle Sam.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Q&A About the GI Bill Advance
The school I was originally going to attend (CSM) sends me info through their VA network. Here is what they had:
Background Information
1. I have heard about education advanced payments. What are they?
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has authorized advanced education payments up to $3,000 for veterans who have applied for VA educational benefits and who have not yet received their monthly education payment as of October 2, 2009. This is an advance payment of the veteran’s housing and book allowance only, as the tuition payment will be paid to the school.
Obtaining Payment
2. How do I obtain an advance payment and what do I need to provide?
Starting October 2nd, you may go to one of VA’s 57 regional offices with a government issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Military ID, etc.) and proof you are enrolled in school (class schedule, admission letter, enrollment verification letter, etc.)
You will be required to sign for the payment upon receipt.
3. What if I cannot make it to a Regional Office?
Currently VA is only offering advance payments at one of our 57 offices, however we are looking at other alternatives.
4. Can I receive more than one advance payment?
This is a one-time advance payment, which will be recouped from future education payments. Only one payment is authorized per veteran, up to $3000.
Payment Details
5. I am a veteran, am I eligible for an advance payment?
Yes, if you are currently enrolled in school under a VA education program.
List of VA Education Programs:
a. Ch33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill
b. Ch 30 - Montgomery GI Bill
c. Chapter 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve
d. Ch 1607 – Reserve Education Assistance Program
6. I am a dependent, am I eligible for an advance payment?
No, payments are only available to veterans.
7. If I received my education payment on October 1st, am I still eligible for a $3000 advance payment?
No, advance payments are only authorized for veterans who did not receive a payment on October 1st.
8. Will I have to pay this advance payment back to VA?
This payment will be recouped from future VA payments. However, if you stop attending school during the semester, recoupment by VA will not be possible and you will have to repay the advance payment.
9. What if I want less than $3000?
Veterans may chose to receive a payment less than $3000, however, only one advance payment is authorized regardless of amount.
Future Payments
10. When can I expect future payments?
After the advance payment is recouped, you can expect future payments at the beginning of each month, which will likely start in November.
11. How does this emergency payment affect my future education payments?
This payment will be recouped from future VA payments, however, if you stop attending school during the semester, recoupment by VA will not be possible and you will have to repay the advance payment. The exact recoupment amount will be determined once your education claim is processed.
Additional Information
This is the latest information concerning the education advance payments. At this time, there is no additional information that can be provided or number to refer the claimant to for additional information. If a claimant needs more information, they should contact the National Call Center (888-442-4552) for updated information or visit the education website at www.gibill.va.gov
Background Information
1. I have heard about education advanced payments. What are they?
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has authorized advanced education payments up to $3,000 for veterans who have applied for VA educational benefits and who have not yet received their monthly education payment as of October 2, 2009. This is an advance payment of the veteran’s housing and book allowance only, as the tuition payment will be paid to the school.
Obtaining Payment
2. How do I obtain an advance payment and what do I need to provide?
Starting October 2nd, you may go to one of VA’s 57 regional offices with a government issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Military ID, etc.) and proof you are enrolled in school (class schedule, admission letter, enrollment verification letter, etc.)
You will be required to sign for the payment upon receipt.
3. What if I cannot make it to a Regional Office?
Currently VA is only offering advance payments at one of our 57 offices, however we are looking at other alternatives.
4. Can I receive more than one advance payment?
This is a one-time advance payment, which will be recouped from future education payments. Only one payment is authorized per veteran, up to $3000.
Payment Details
5. I am a veteran, am I eligible for an advance payment?
Yes, if you are currently enrolled in school under a VA education program.
List of VA Education Programs:
a. Ch33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill
b. Ch 30 - Montgomery GI Bill
c. Chapter 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve
d. Ch 1607 – Reserve Education Assistance Program
6. I am a dependent, am I eligible for an advance payment?
No, payments are only available to veterans.
7. If I received my education payment on October 1st, am I still eligible for a $3000 advance payment?
No, advance payments are only authorized for veterans who did not receive a payment on October 1st.
8. Will I have to pay this advance payment back to VA?
This payment will be recouped from future VA payments. However, if you stop attending school during the semester, recoupment by VA will not be possible and you will have to repay the advance payment.
9. What if I want less than $3000?
Veterans may chose to receive a payment less than $3000, however, only one advance payment is authorized regardless of amount.
Future Payments
10. When can I expect future payments?
After the advance payment is recouped, you can expect future payments at the beginning of each month, which will likely start in November.
11. How does this emergency payment affect my future education payments?
This payment will be recouped from future VA payments, however, if you stop attending school during the semester, recoupment by VA will not be possible and you will have to repay the advance payment. The exact recoupment amount will be determined once your education claim is processed.
Additional Information
This is the latest information concerning the education advance payments. At this time, there is no additional information that can be provided or number to refer the claimant to for additional information. If a claimant needs more information, they should contact the National Call Center (888-442-4552) for updated information or visit the education website at www.gibill.va.gov
Friday, September 25, 2009
Emergency funds!
Just released: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1781
Secretary Shinseki Orders Emergency Checks to Students Awaiting Education Benefits
September 25, 2009
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Thousands of Checks to Alleviate Student Financial Burden
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their government payment. The checks will be distributed to eligible students at VA regional benefits offices across the country starting Oct. 2, 2009.
“Students should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties,” Secretary Shinseki said. “Education creates life-expanding opportunities for our Veterans.”
Starting Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, students can go to one of VA’s 57 regional benefit offices with a photo ID, a course schedule and an eligibility certificate to request advance payment of their housing and book allowance. Because not all these offices are located near students, VA expects to send representatives to schools with large Veteran-student bodies and work with Veteran Service Organizations to help students with transportation needs.
A list of those VA regional offices is available at www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/offices.asp.
“I’m asking our people to get out their road maps and determine how we can reach the largest number of college students who can’t reach us,” VA’s Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick Dunne said. “Not everyone has a car. Not everyone can walk to a VA benefits office.”
Although VA does not know how many students will request emergency funds, it has approximately 25,000 claims pending that may result in payments to students.
The funds VA will give to students now are advance payments of the earned benefits for housing and books. This money will be deducted from future education payments.
VA officials said students should know that after this special payment, they can expect to receive education payments on the normal schedule -- the beginning of the month following the period for which they are reimbursed.
“This is an extraordinary action we’re taking,” said Shinseki. “But it’s necessary because we recognize the hardships some of our Veterans face.”
More than 27,500 students have already received benefits for housing or books under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, or their schools received their tuition payments.
Secretary Shinseki Orders Emergency Checks to Students Awaiting Education Benefits
September 25, 2009
Printable Version
Need Viewer Software?
Thousands of Checks to Alleviate Student Financial Burden
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their government payment. The checks will be distributed to eligible students at VA regional benefits offices across the country starting Oct. 2, 2009.
“Students should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties,” Secretary Shinseki said. “Education creates life-expanding opportunities for our Veterans.”
Starting Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, students can go to one of VA’s 57 regional benefit offices with a photo ID, a course schedule and an eligibility certificate to request advance payment of their housing and book allowance. Because not all these offices are located near students, VA expects to send representatives to schools with large Veteran-student bodies and work with Veteran Service Organizations to help students with transportation needs.
A list of those VA regional offices is available at www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/offices.asp.
“I’m asking our people to get out their road maps and determine how we can reach the largest number of college students who can’t reach us,” VA’s Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick Dunne said. “Not everyone has a car. Not everyone can walk to a VA benefits office.”
Although VA does not know how many students will request emergency funds, it has approximately 25,000 claims pending that may result in payments to students.
The funds VA will give to students now are advance payments of the earned benefits for housing and books. This money will be deducted from future education payments.
VA officials said students should know that after this special payment, they can expect to receive education payments on the normal schedule -- the beginning of the month following the period for which they are reimbursed.
“This is an extraordinary action we’re taking,” said Shinseki. “But it’s necessary because we recognize the hardships some of our Veterans face.”
More than 27,500 students have already received benefits for housing or books under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, or their schools received their tuition payments.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
CNN on the Post 911 GI Bill
Lets go congress... Let Go President Obama We NEED your help. The men and women who served for you are having a hard time surviving. People quit their jobs to go and become a student. HELP!
Late Late Late Late
Hurry up and wait... It seems like these people who are processing the claims for veterans do not care... I hear people loosing their cars, apartments, going on food stamps. I also heard this morning that 89% of vets have still not been paid their money for school. I have also heard that colleges will not let you continue until they are paid by the VA... what is going on? They have been telling vets also that they have finished processing about 190,000 claims and only have 70k to go? why lie... just tell the TRUTH. Here are a few articles that I have came across so far from the news.
LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gi-bill25-2009sep25,0,4692259.story
Cleveland (this is nice of them):
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1253781221213220.xml&coll=2
SureWest: http://www.surewest.net/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CD9ATTEH84%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1011&_LT=HOME_LARSDCCL3_UNEWS
LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gi-bill25-2009sep25,0,4692259.story
Cleveland (this is nice of them):
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1253781221213220.xml&coll=2
SureWest: http://www.surewest.net/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CD9ATTEH84%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1011&_LT=HOME_LARSDCCL3_UNEWS
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Notice from the VA
Wow... took 6 weeks to just get a letter telling me that they have my application? I am confused as to why it took this long just to notify me that they have my application. But basically I think is because I call often and this is a form to just get me off their back. It reads as follows (with some of my reactions):
We have received your application for benefits. It is our sincere desire to decide your case promptly (yay they got back to me). However, as we have a great number of claims, action on yours may be delayed (NOOOOOOOO seriously). We are now in the process of deciding whether additional evidence or information is needed (well I have called a bunch of times and you said you have everything you need). If we need anything else from you, we will contact you, so there is no need to contact us in the meantime (HAHAHA yeah right... you will hear from me tomorrow, Monday, on what the hell this letter is exactly and if you are actually processing it or not). If you do write us (maybe they got my complaint?), be sure YOUR file number and full name, or have it at hand if you call.
If your mailing address is different than that shown above, please advise us of your new mailing address. You should notify us immediately of any changes in your mailing address. (then it goes on to tell you about other contact numbers and benefits).
Now I could be wrong but this just sounds to me like they don't know how long it will take to process my claim and that they have not necessarily stated to do so as they told me when I called on Thursday... I heard from a lot of people that the letters they receive is how much they will be receiving... Any one else get a letter like this?
We have received your application for benefits. It is our sincere desire to decide your case promptly (yay they got back to me). However, as we have a great number of claims, action on yours may be delayed (NOOOOOOOO seriously). We are now in the process of deciding whether additional evidence or information is needed (well I have called a bunch of times and you said you have everything you need). If we need anything else from you, we will contact you, so there is no need to contact us in the meantime (HAHAHA yeah right... you will hear from me tomorrow, Monday, on what the hell this letter is exactly and if you are actually processing it or not). If you do write us (maybe they got my complaint?), be sure YOUR file number and full name, or have it at hand if you call.
If your mailing address is different than that shown above, please advise us of your new mailing address. You should notify us immediately of any changes in your mailing address. (then it goes on to tell you about other contact numbers and benefits).
Now I could be wrong but this just sounds to me like they don't know how long it will take to process my claim and that they have not necessarily stated to do so as they told me when I called on Thursday... I heard from a lot of people that the letters they receive is how much they will be receiving... Any one else get a letter like this?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
BAH Fact
San Francisco has the highest BAH payment in the Nation. A great way to get the most of your 9/11 GI bill is to move to this area and commute to school.
Here is a link to the BAH PDF:
http://images.military.com//ContenFiles/2009-bah-with-dependents.pdf
Cheers!
Here is a link to the BAH PDF:
http://images.military.com//ContenFiles/2009-bah-with-dependents.pdf
Cheers!
Monday, September 14, 2009
More Stuff for sale
I have some heavy duty stands for sale.. they where fairly expensive when I first bought them (I will double check but I think they are 4-6 ton) $25
I have a full box of 5W-20 of oil never used (all of them are 5W-20 even the white one) $ 8
I have a jack that has a wheel that comes of but works well 2 ton - $10
2 black ramps - $20
Take it all for $55
*they are a bit dusty but everything works very good... Ill make sure the items are all cleaned off before you take them :)
I have a full box of 5W-20 of oil never used (all of them are 5W-20 even the white one) $ 8
I have a jack that has a wheel that comes of but works well 2 ton - $10
2 black ramps - $20
Take it all for $55
*they are a bit dusty but everything works very good... Ill make sure the items are all cleaned off before you take them :)
Today's creation
So now I am at the bare bones of food and needed to feed my kids, me, and my wife. Almost out of instant soup so had to make something. I had a few port patties left over,
some hot sauce,
some white beans,
garlic,
spices,
tortillas,
and cheddar cheese,
I ended up grabbing some salt and pepper, oregano, and onion powder and added it all together with the above ingredients and cooked it.
warmed up the tortillas and cheese,
loaded the hot sauce and the mix,
and had a hot and tasty meal.
this ended up feeding all of us and it was not half bad. I think it would have been better if I had black beans but this was better than instant soup or something else random.
some hot sauce,
some white beans,
garlic,
spices,
tortillas,
and cheddar cheese,
I ended up grabbing some salt and pepper, oregano, and onion powder and added it all together with the above ingredients and cooked it.
warmed up the tortillas and cheese,
loaded the hot sauce and the mix,
and had a hot and tasty meal.
this ended up feeding all of us and it was not half bad. I think it would have been better if I had black beans but this was better than instant soup or something else random.
Today I wrote my congressperson
Today I wrote my congress person due to the fact that the VA is not helping at all. I hope this will expedite the process to where I can get my payment in a timely manner. Here is what I wrote:
I am writing you regarding the Post 9/11 GI Bill recently passed for veterans to attend a college of their choice while receiving a monthly payment to help with living expenses.
At the start of the process I was told that the process will take about 10 days to 4 weeks. I am now on my sixth week with no payment and the only thing I am getting is an attitude from the people handling these cases.
With all due respect sir, what is going is wrong. Several hundred, even thousands of veterans including ones with families, like my self, are running on no funds. I currently have a negative balance in my bank account after using all my savings. Granted I have looked for part time work ever since I quit my job in case something like this did happen but due to the harsh economy I was not lucky enough to land a job.
I cannot stress how disappointing this process has been and now I am in desperate need in receiving this money from the VA before I loose all my belongings and go homeless with my pregnant wife and 4 children. I hope there is something you might be able to help me with or point me to the right direction because I have had no luck trying to talk to the people in charge of the process.
I appreciate any help offered with my situation.
You are more than welcome to use parts of this letter if needed for your letter to your congressperson. Best of luck to all you vets out there!
I am writing you regarding the Post 9/11 GI Bill recently passed for veterans to attend a college of their choice while receiving a monthly payment to help with living expenses.
At the start of the process I was told that the process will take about 10 days to 4 weeks. I am now on my sixth week with no payment and the only thing I am getting is an attitude from the people handling these cases.
With all due respect sir, what is going is wrong. Several hundred, even thousands of veterans including ones with families, like my self, are running on no funds. I currently have a negative balance in my bank account after using all my savings. Granted I have looked for part time work ever since I quit my job in case something like this did happen but due to the harsh economy I was not lucky enough to land a job.
I cannot stress how disappointing this process has been and now I am in desperate need in receiving this money from the VA before I loose all my belongings and go homeless with my pregnant wife and 4 children. I hope there is something you might be able to help me with or point me to the right direction because I have had no luck trying to talk to the people in charge of the process.
I appreciate any help offered with my situation.
You are more than welcome to use parts of this letter if needed for your letter to your congressperson. Best of luck to all you vets out there!
Letter from Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Benefits to Higher Education Executives
source: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/note.php?note_id=162628854851&ref=nf
Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs P.W. Dunne recently sent a letter to Institutions of Higher Learning extending his gratitude for their patience and flexibility as the payments for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill begin to go out. He also provided an update on where we stand and our outlook for processing claims under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
In the letter he writes:
"We would like to thank those institutions who have policies to extend billing flexibility to Veterans, which will allow them to remain enrolled at your institution until the student’s tuition and fees payment is received from VA. This will allow Servicemembers and Veterans, as well as their Dependents to take advantage of this new educational assistance program while attending your institution. "
Please read the whole letter at the link below and be sure to pass it along to friends, family, and your school administrators.
Link: http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/Post-911_Claims_Processing_Letter.pdf
Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs P.W. Dunne recently sent a letter to Institutions of Higher Learning extending his gratitude for their patience and flexibility as the payments for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill begin to go out. He also provided an update on where we stand and our outlook for processing claims under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
In the letter he writes:
"We would like to thank those institutions who have policies to extend billing flexibility to Veterans, which will allow them to remain enrolled at your institution until the student’s tuition and fees payment is received from VA. This will allow Servicemembers and Veterans, as well as their Dependents to take advantage of this new educational assistance program while attending your institution. "
Please read the whole letter at the link below and be sure to pass it along to friends, family, and your school administrators.
Link: http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/Post-911_Claims_Processing_Letter.pdf
Fighting with the GI Bill people
Some times I wonder why people even do some of the jobs they are doing... I understand people at times do not like their job.. there is always those days... but come on... the last few times I have called these people nothing but attitude... hello! I am calling for money I was promised... I am not being rude there is not reason you need to be.
I called simply to check on my status on my payments.. the guy was rude and obnoxious and would not even give me a time frame to when payments will be processed or if my claim is being processed... he said "they looked at it" that dose not help me... I asked for his supervisor and he said "you can talk to all of them, like I care" you serious dude? people WISH they had at least a job and you are probably getting paid good to sit and be rude to people.... so I got to hold forever for a supervisor.
After talking to the supervisor at the VA I got that these people can't do a damn thing... its just a CALL CENTER... but he did fill me in a bit more. If you applied the normal wait time to have your claim processed (or certification) takes an "average" of 6 weeks... the thing is though... your payments, depending on how many people and how many payments need to be disbursed, it can take 3 days or three weeks to see any money. My advice is to get a part time job because if you have a break between semesters and your paperwork has not been sent in then there is a chance you will not get paid that week and you amount will be pro-rated and you will be missing a weeks worth of pay... whenever you get paid again. So PUSH you school and push them hard to have you put in for certification right after you enroll for your classes to give ample time for payments to get to you.
Thinks to make sure you do/have:
1. Part time job to hold you over on a rainy day
2. get certified right away - so harass your School VA person till they give in like I did
3. save save save
4. leave the call center people alone because the only thing they can do is check your status on if they have opened your file or not
I called simply to check on my status on my payments.. the guy was rude and obnoxious and would not even give me a time frame to when payments will be processed or if my claim is being processed... he said "they looked at it" that dose not help me... I asked for his supervisor and he said "you can talk to all of them, like I care" you serious dude? people WISH they had at least a job and you are probably getting paid good to sit and be rude to people.... so I got to hold forever for a supervisor.
After talking to the supervisor at the VA I got that these people can't do a damn thing... its just a CALL CENTER... but he did fill me in a bit more. If you applied the normal wait time to have your claim processed (or certification) takes an "average" of 6 weeks... the thing is though... your payments, depending on how many people and how many payments need to be disbursed, it can take 3 days or three weeks to see any money. My advice is to get a part time job because if you have a break between semesters and your paperwork has not been sent in then there is a chance you will not get paid that week and you amount will be pro-rated and you will be missing a weeks worth of pay... whenever you get paid again. So PUSH you school and push them hard to have you put in for certification right after you enroll for your classes to give ample time for payments to get to you.
Thinks to make sure you do/have:
1. Part time job to hold you over on a rainy day
2. get certified right away - so harass your School VA person till they give in like I did
3. save save save
4. leave the call center people alone because the only thing they can do is check your status on if they have opened your file or not
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Who's to Blame for Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit Delays?
Source : Military.com
August 24, 2009
By Terry Howell
Last week's Blog covered news reports warning that a huge backlog of GI Bill "work items," which includes applications and payment claims, is causing a delay in Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits of up to 10 weeks. This week the backlog grew nearly 11 percent to over 234,000. To their credit, the VA has processed over 140,000 "work items" overall. In addition, it appears that at least 13,000 veterans will soon begin receiving benefits, if they have not already.
Note: It takes approximately 1.5 hours for VA to process each Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill application.
In a recent Chronicle of Higher Education article, Post-9/11 GI Bill Applicants Wait for Colleges to Certify Enrollment, Department of Veterans Affairs Director of Education Services, Keith Wilson, responded to the question about delays by suggesting that school certifying officials were to blame, saying that to date the VA had received only 13,000 certifications from the schools. “We have no control over when a school official will submit that enrollment certificate to us,” added Mr. Wilson.
Needless to say this has triggered an angry response from veteran’s program administrators and school certifying officials nationwide, denying that they are the bottleneck in the process.
Many of the certifying officials interviewed, said they were shocked to read the article and felt they were being stabbed in the back. A school certifying official, who wished to remain unnamed, said “the quote that stressed me is the one where he said they had no control over when a school sent an enrollment in. We have it in writing that we were to hold certifications until July 7, 2009.”
Another certifying official pointed out that there is no logical reason for a school to purposely delay the process, “not only is it bad for the student; it is bad for the school.” He also questioned the legitimacy of Mr. Wilson’s claim of receiving only 13,000 certifications.
Teri Gravenmier, veterans program administrator for the University of Alaska Anchorage, addressed Mr. Wilson’s assertion by explaining that in addition to other duties – including providing counseling and support for veteran students – “school certifying officials must verify not only that the student is qualified and how many credits they are registered for, but also that the coursework applies to their degree plan.” By comparison, “VA processors have one task to perform - process Chapter 33 [Post-9/11 GI Bill] applications,” Gravenmier points out.
Since early August, school certifying officials have been reporting serious payment errors made by the VA, including underpayments made because the VA failed to update their own database when the rates increased in August, duplicate tuition and fees payments, payments sent to the wrong schools, and payments made without supporting data including the student names. School officials have been told by the VA that they would not make any corrections to the payment issues until “Phase 3,” slated begin sometime in October.
Many of these errors and delays are easily attributed to a newly hired, inexperienced VA workforce, an understandable learning curve, lack of technical support systems, complicated requirements, and a huge flood of claims. But, many find it unfair for the VA to blame the schools for delays while they continue to have issues that still need to be addressed at the VA level.
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I enrolled in my particular school as soon as the program was announced for the fall term. I immediately used the VONAPP to process my conversion to the 9/11 program. I have already received a payment of $667 dollars for the book stipend. I have not, however received any sort of BAH payment to date. I am starting to feel the pinch a little bit, but should be able to get by. Some more communication / information would be nice.
Posted by: Matt C | September 10, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Live from Capitol Hill: House VA Committee to host hearing on VA/SPAWAR partnership of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill
This afternoon, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs will host a hearing to discuss the partnership between VA and Navy SPAWAR tasked with developing an electronic filing system for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. AMVETS will be on hand in Cannon 334 at 1:30 p.m. for the hearing.
To view the live video feed of today's hearing, Click Here.
In recent weeks, AMVETS has been tracking the implementation of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, tracking payments and the backlog of claims. Though today's hearing is supposed to simply address the next phase of implementation, AMVETS wants to see Congress address the outstanding issues facing veterans already enrolled for the new Chapter 33 benefits.
Since the VA started accepting enrollment verifications on July 6, it has come to AMVETS' attention that most veterans will not receive timely payment of their living stipends and that VBA has also missed its deadlines for reimbursing schools for tuition.
While many schools have been understanding of the situation, landlords and utility companies will not be so understanding of the financial hardships.
American Veteran has already received numerous comments from veterans who have been forced to take out student loans in order to make ends meet.
After numerous calls and meetings with VA leaders to discuss the G.I. Bill and the payment processes, AMVETS has only been left with more questions about workload and benefits-delivered. AMVETS leaders will continue to ask these questions, until they receive satisfactory answers and solutions.
Check back with American Veteran Online this afternoon to learn more about today's hearing.
Posted by: Naomi S | September 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I have been keeping up with the postings following this article and I have yet to see anyone comment on the regular old chapter 30. I opted out of the new program because I feared such problems as delays and further complications. I have yet to receive my chpt 30 benefits and have been attending the same school for spring, summer, and now the fall semester. I cannot even certify. I know many of you are experiencing the same difficulties under the post 911 bill but what about chapter 30???? When I call its the sam old "all lines are busy" and rather than place me on hold, they disconnect. HELP????
Posted by: John Smith | September 10, 2009 at 09:50 AM
I visted my CO at my school yesterday and she told me that the VA is telling her that students just need to wait for their money they and their schools will evently get their payments.
She recommended that I contact my local representive and that others should do the same.
For those who think we should just suck it up and get a job, some people may have been let go (like I have, because the minimum wage went up and she could no longer afford to pay me) and have trouble finding jobs at this time. I know some are in tougher situations and was hoping for this money to help them get through.
Posted by: Nancy | September 10, 2009 at 04:22 AM
The VA told me it'll take 4-6 to receive payment. LIES LIES LIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I applied for the Post 911 MAY 1. My enrollment Verification went out AUG 2!!!!! still no money. They keep telling me 4 to 6 weeks!!! I'll tell you what, you better start getting ready for Spring semester cause these **********...As soon as I can register for my spring classes I will...
Posted by: Eff This | September 09, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Wow!! blame your schools official? come on ... the backlog is now 275,000. Schools have been certifying student as soon as they were able to. Schools want to get paid too, they sure dont need to get calls from us veterans wanting to know when they will be paid everday and they want to make sure ... they are doing the best job they can with the information they receive from the VA. The VA kept changing the process on the schools from what I know (certify after drop add)... and the backlog continues to grow. The rates for each state maximum kept changing, VA had IT issues, and with a backlog of 275K and new VA employees trying to keep up with the workload its going to get worse before it gets better. School just started within the past few weeks ... the back log will get bigger and all of us are in the workflow. If you want things to get better, tell the folk on capital hill how thier new GI Bill is being handled ... again it was congress that put this GI Bill into place ... they need to follow up to insure thier GI Bill is working properly.
Posted by: Radar | September 09, 2009 at 09:54 AM
--------BY THE WAY, DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THEY ARE GOING TO TAX OUR BAH AND STIPEND?--------------
Posted by: ryan from houston | September 09, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Were people honestly under the impression that the beginning of an entirely new chapter to the G.I. Bill would be launched without ANY flaws? It should have been painfully obvious to anyone that has ever dealt with the VA in any way whatsoever that things would be incredibly backed up at first but would eventually work themselves out. And by "work themselves out," I mean, we WILL get reimbursed for whatever we rate, so what is the purpose of whining like a child? Funny how quick us veterans are to point out "all our time in the sand" and "what we did for our country" and at the same time sounding like every whiny liberal out there who assumes they are entitled to anything and everything from the government. Yes, I know, we DO rate the benefits but it doesn't mean we have to bad mouth the ones that have chosen to offer us the benefits and sound like the very people that epitomize what is so wrong with this nation that we DO fight to protect (let's hope it wasn't in vain, by the way, as we seem to be more and more accepting of socialism all of a sudden). I cannot imagine how on earth they could possibly be caught up with everything even by October, but if they are, I would be extremely impressed and had absolutely no reason to believe I would be getting my benefits that quickly when well over a quarter of a million people have applied! Perhaps somewhere an article was written guaranteeing veterans prompt payment under this new bill, but I never saw it and if I had, I still wouldn't have believed it. This is not a case of foolish incompetence of the VA, this is an overwhelming task by any standards, but the bottom line is that obviously we will eventually get the money so if you weren't prepared for a longer waiting period than usual, then perhaps ignorance has been the bigger issue and you should've waited to apply for the post 9/11 bill when it was more established.
Posted by: B.J.B. | September 09, 2009 at 05:55 AM
I'd make a comment, but it seems like whats on my mind has already been said. I am just so disappointed. But you know what i can believe this would happen. with all these government programs failing and all under this new communist regime.Its just so depressing. I am broke. flat broke! I remember how awesome this sounded! I should of known better. Just when you think you can rely on your government for your 4 years of service. for your years of spending b days, Christmas, new years, thanksgivings, valentines days, and anniversary's in the desert fighting the presidents wars. lol just boggles the mind. truly boggles the mind.
Posted by: ryan from houston | September 09, 2009 at 05:23 AM
My paperwork was sent to the VA by my school on July 23, 2009 and I still have not received anything since my last payment under Chapter 30 during the summer. I called the GIBill number and was told Buffalo is taking up to 8 eight weeks.
Posted by: Nancy | September 09, 2009 at 05:02 AM
"The schools don't/won't certify a claim until AFTER class has started to assure you are going to school and not just trying to get the money..."
The lies just keep on coming. UNBELIEVABLE.
Posted by: USAF8405 | September 08, 2009 at 09:52 PM
The schools don't/won't certify a claim until AFTER class has started to assure you are going to school and not just trying to get the money...
Posted by: Michael | September 08, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Make sure you DOUBLE check with your VA official at your school to make sure that they have submitted the certification. They WILL sit on it, such as with my case. I e-mailed the guy twice in July and August, and did not get it done until I showed up in person! Now I'm hoping the VA will do their part in 4-8 weeks....which by that time Fall Semester will be coming to a close.
Posted by: Tom | September 08, 2009 at 06:30 PM
The VA is flat out lying. The schools have no reason to submit the paperwork. Everybody knows that the colleges are money hungry and vets equal guaranteed payment. They VA is doing a long audit and are not sensitive to the fact that the vets need the money. These VA caseworkers are getting their checks every month while we suffer. More vets should be case workers.
Posted by: Antonio | September 08, 2009 at 05:07 PM
Golly Robert
I seriously doubt that they are going to get their knickers in a bunch from one little ol fax from me.
I didn't even mention my case. I told them I was okay financially and could wait, but had concerns about all the stories from other veterans I've read here and at another site. I passed on that information.
It made me feel better and at the end of the day - que sera, sera.
Posted by: sammytki | September 08, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Sammytki,
You can tell President Obama and Senator Webb anything you want, but come on--the president you needed to contact is the President of your school and the senator you needed to contact is the State Senator in charge of your college and university systems if you want to complain about your School Certifying Official failing to send your information to the VA in a timely manner.
The President and Congress can barely pay attention to one thing at the National level, much less wasting time running down some college employee who didn't do their job in sending your information on time. Just about nothing wastes more time than complaining to the wrong people.
Congress: address the failure of a Federal agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) to handle your case fairly and under the requirements of law.
Local Government: address the failure of a State agency or institution (YOUR SCHOOL) to handle your case fairly and under the requirements of law.
That's the point I'm making.
Posted by: Robert | September 08, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Geez Robert
Am I not allowed to contact my President and the author of the GI Bill to share my experience with the new benefit?
I'm sure they like to hear what is going on out there.
Posted by: sammytki | September 08, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Sammytki,
Why did you contact the President and your senator? At least in your case, it was your school's fault. You said it yourself, THE SCHOOL didn't send your information until August 19th.
I just don't understand why you think that's the VA's fault, warranting a congressional inquiry involving the President and Senator Webb...
Posted by: Robert | September 08, 2009 at 09:43 AM
I wish people will stop posting falsehoods here, such as "Only the office in Muskogee Oklahoma processes claims." There are enough lies out there on the Internet about the Post-9/11 GI Bill that can confuse the average PhD.
There are in fact 4 regional processing offices for claims: Muskogee, OK; St. Louis, MO; Buffalo, NY; and, Atlanta, GA.
It's good to read anecdotes and personal experiences but take things with a grain of salt. And, as with anything, if you must trust, be sure to VERIFY!! :p
Posted by: Robert | September 08, 2009 at 09:37 AM
I finally had an update from the VA; they are working my file.
I enrolled for the fall semester in APRIL. I submitted my application for the new GI Bill on MAY 5. My award letter was dated 18 MAY.
My school certifying official sent in my information on 19 AUGUST - 1 day before school started! This was months after i turned in my information and after being assured that he had already done so.
You bet I contacted my congressman. They have been calling and calling the school certifying official, but they never return his calls.
I also faxed the President and Senator Webb. This is unacceptable.
Posted by: sammytki | September 08, 2009 at 09:35 AM
I have seen in many e-mails where people believe that their regional VA office processes the GI Bill claims. That is not true. Only the office in Muskogee Oklahoma processes claims. If you got your new gi bill then congratulations!!! You won the gi bill lottery!!! As for the rest of us we are apparently the lottery losers.
Posted by: David | September 08, 2009 at 09:06 AM
I retired 5 years ago, I put my post 911 paper work in, June of this year. I started school in July and I still have not received my money for school or the BHA. I think the VA need to replace the workers, that has been working for the va for a long period of time. Because, when you work in a place for along period of time, you get lazy and you feel you can not be fired. They dont really care about us, the vetran, they take 3 hour lunch breaks, and go home at 5. Replace them, and watch things start to happen, with the VA.
Posted by: Micheal | September 08, 2009 at 07:36 AM
I turned my paperwork into the school on time. Luckily I called the VA ED department and asked if they had received anyhthing. They told me no, so I contacted my VA CO at the college immediately. She appologised, she had not done it, but she had so many claims and was basically overloaded, as she also woks at the reg. and enrollment. I think the schools were not prepared for the large influx of enrollments, but I'm not too upset because the VA will eventually pay me. It may take a while, they are slow, but I am still blessed to have the support of the Va as I am also a DAV.
Posted by: saundra k | September 08, 2009 at 07:10 AM
A report from the trenches: I got on VONAPP within days of the VA accepting applications in May. I received my Award certificate from the VA in early June. I faxed it to my school immediately. I enrolled on 6/18/09 in a Summer course that began in Mid-July and ended in late August. I had to pay upfront because the Post-9/11 GI Bill didn't begin paying out until 8/1/09. My school, University of Maryland University College (UMUC), as instructed by the VA, could not send my enrollment until 7/7/09; they did so on that date. The school got paid on 8/6/09; they refunded me in the amount that was covered by the VA (not the entire tuition but only for the portion of the class from 8/1/09 through the 8/20/09). Not a big deal since my employer is paying the balance. I got paid for my books on 8/4/09 and I received my BAH on 8/26/09 for August (earlier than I expected).
For the Fall semester, I am caught up in the 6-week delay, but I didn't enroll until 8/7/09 (UMUC sent the enrollment certification on 8/17/09).
Conclusions:
1. UMUC is an awesome, Vet-friendly school. I received an email assuring me to not worry; my class will not be cancelled or dropped and that I may go ahead and attend my class (which starts tonight).
2. Follow the rules, and do everything as early as possible. Do not delay--can not stress that enough.
3. Hope you are serviced by the Buffalo VA office. They are efficient and are doing a very good job with what they've had to deal with, given that they have been overwhelmed by the popularity of the program.
4. Do all the above for the Spring semester as soon as you are able. UMUC's registration for Spring begins October 1. Don't think I'm going to wait until December or even November to get the ball rolling for classes that start in January!
To sum all this up, you must-must-must-must start early and follow the rules, fill out all forms/applications completely and accurately. Pay attention to dates and timelines. Do not depend on these benefits for your daily living (if you can't afford to wait for reimbursement, then you have to make tough choices that only you can make depending on your situation).
Good luck, fellow vets!
Posted by: Robert | September 08, 2009 at 06:07 AM
I've been receiving benefits since August of 2008. never a problem. Nothing in my enrollment status has changed yet I havent received a payment since june. I can't even get anyone to tell me why this is. They keep saying I haven't called to verify June but I have several times. I just wish someone had some answers (that make sense)
Posted by: TJ | September 07, 2009 at 10:12 PM
I believe its the schools VA reps fault because I turned in my approval from the VA for my Post 9/11 Bill in May and the VA reps at my school never sent in my paper work for processing with the VA till Aug. 21. They should have sent it in on July 7th when they were allowed by the VA to send in applications. So, now I'm one of those students whose application hasn't been processed... and I need this money my husband lost his job, I don't work and we have a 17 months old to take care of and we are currently leaving of our savings what little we have left and credit cards that we haven't used in the last 10 months because we've been saving them for a emergency well here's the emergency till my husband gets a new job. Its only been 1 month.
Posted by: Lucy | September 07, 2009 at 09:45 PM
I understand everyone's frustration, however, we were all once soldiers and we know how to improvise. Yes, the VA will pay. I used the VA for vocactional rehab for by bachelor degree and now I'm using the Post 9/11 GI Bill for my master degree. For those of you going to a school that is making you front the money, leave that school. That means they don't respect you as a veteran. Schools know they are going to get their money from the government so they are wrong if they are telling you to pay up front.
As for your books, if you cannot afford them ask someone in your class if you can copy the book on the off days of class. I do this. I'm not going to allow any obstacles to stop me from getting my education. It there is a will there is a way. Come on soldiers and marines we don't watch things happen we make things happen.
I am a single mother of four, I work all day and go to school at night. This is just one more sacrifice I have to make if I am going to get where I'm going. It's sad that things are not right, but we need to crap or get off the pot.
Posted by: Tereasa | September 07, 2009 at 09:02 PM
I applied for the new Post 9/11 GI bill when they began accepting applications. I think that was in May. It only took 4 weeks to get my certification letter from the VA and the school I go to has already accepted and submitted my hours to the VA. The payments are delayed approximately 4 weeks (this is from my VA officer at the school) so be patient. I am a mother of 2 working from home while my husband is out job hunting. While I could use the money, I am not going to throw the VA under the bus. This is a new program and everyone needs to be patient. As for the $1000 book stipend. That is an annual payment so you will not be getting $1k every month. You get $47.61 per credit hour.
Posted by: April | September 07, 2009 at 08:58 PM
I planned ahead for the Post 911 GI Bill. I went to the VA certifying offical at my school. He explained to me several months ago that it was a new program and that I may not get payed until the end of October. I told him about a friend of mine who was going to school 12 hours a way from me. My friend is a veteran as well, and had questions about the Post 911 GI bill. He isn't the certifying offical for his school but offered to talk to him and explain to him how the new Post 911 GI bill works. I am not depending on the Post 911 GI bill and I work as well as much as I can to make sure I can provide for myself. Explain to me how I can work on the weekends, and go through a 5 day a week internship. I planned ahead thats how. Once the VA sorts through the paperwork. My VA rep told me in June that if the VA didn't pay me in time. They would in fact backpay all the money. I have noticed that my tuition has been payed. I just havent received any money for BAH. Im just giving it time. The VA will come through. They always do. I have nothing but good things to say about the VA. You should always plan for the worst possible situation.
Good luck! Stay Focused! It will work out!
SSgt US Air Force
Posted by: Danny | September 07, 2009 at 08:29 PM
If it takes the federal government a year to mess up the new GI bill, and it takes 16 weeks to simply say, "Yes!" to an application for school benefits for 240,000
well deserving veterans, can you imagine how messed up the feds will be if Obamacare gets opened up for 27,000,000 people. It will be sometime in 2040 before the feds hire (estimated 250,000 clerks), train, and implement the mandates of the Obamacare proposals. Can you imagine the screw ups when they try to implement in 2010???? Yikes!
Posted by: Mal | September 07, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Whoever the SGM was that said "Suck it Up" that is fine, but it's kind of hard to suck it up and get a job during a recession.
I saved a lot of money while in the Army and have been able to hold out. However, truly hope that the money kicks in by 1 OCT. Many students are either in school for the first time or in a professional school that takes up each and every moment of your day.
I know working is highly ill-advised for me. So, I am sure it may be for others waiting on the funds. I would say suck it up, but we did that on the front end, now it's time to be rewarded for service. Therefore, people should have a little frustration due to the delays.
The money is coming, everything seems favorable. So, try to hold out. We are the first group of people to get this so we will have to take the brunt of it all until it clears up.
Still and excellent program that will only improve I am sure.
Posted by: Joe | September 07, 2009 at 05:40 PM
The VA made it clear that this program did not start until Aug 1. So the first payment for those that started school in Aug should be arriving now. If you went to summer school, you should have been getting ch 30.
Yes the VA has issues and delays, but when congress wrote a new g.i. Bill, they made it very complicated. It used to be that there were 3 amounts + possibly a kicker. Now it depends on the state, school, length of service, and congress only gave them a year to implement it. Blame congress.
Not fair to anyone. I wish all the best of luck.
Posted by: Navynuke | September 07, 2009 at 05:32 PM
I got discharged on a honorable discharge after 12 years of service. It was solely involuntarily. After two years of doing nothing but working jobs that really did not fit my needs. I decided to go back to school so that I could get a degree and possibly have my family living a better life and not pay check to pay check. When the post 9/11 GI Bill came out it was a blessing so I thought. The way it was explained to me was they were paying my tuition, giving me a housing allowance, and a book stipend. I have yet to receive any of these. It is going on 6 weeks. I was told the money for my books would come as soon as they received clarification from the school, well they have 6 weeks ago, i have the letter stating it. So now I had to find $500.00 for my books, which has really put me in a financial bind. And when I have called the VA three times trying to find out information, I get that it is in progress. In progress could mean from 24 hours to whoever knows. This plan should have really been thought out before it was put out to the Veterans that might be depending on this money are now being led on. I can say the VA has done a lot for me however this is one that is not working in their favor.
Posted by: Michelle | September 07, 2009 at 05:18 PM
I totally agree. We are not welfare recipients. We are veterans receiving a benefit that we sacrificed our lives for. We abandoned our families and put ourselves in harms way to earn this right, and I do mean right. This is not a privilege that we get. We earned it through our sacrifices and deserve it more than any other generation of veterans since World War II. We were an all voluntary force that knew what we were doing and where we were going and still went. This isn't welfare. We aren't gonna be spending our lives mooching off of the government. This educational benefit is our opportunity to get ahead in this world and create a better life and a better America for ourselves and our families. If necessary the VA workers at Muskogee should work overtime to get this task done so that we can pursue our education without the fear of how we are going to make ends meet.
However, since this is not the case I implore all involved to contact your congressman. Use every avenue necessary to put the fear into the VA directors to motivate their people to do their job. Maybe some people here have a little nest egg to survive off of but don't trust that your nest egg will last until they pay you. Every voice that speaks up is another claim processed.
Posted by: David | September 07, 2009 at 11:17 AM
For all of you that are excepting the failure of our government to comply with what they promised, shame on you! In the military we never excepted nothing less than 100%. Can you imagine if we told are gunnies, chiefs, officers that sorry we are new and need a couple extra months before we can finish the job. This is unacceptable, and this is why our government is so messed up today, because there are so many that would reconcile with the government. I tell you what if it was the senaters, congressman, and war makers pay(benefits)getting messed with things would change in a heart beat. Shame on the government to make me bitch like a common welfare recipient after serving my country.
Posted by: juscorn | September 07, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Don't take their crap!!! Contact your congressman and make it an issue. You can go to their local office and they will have you fill out forms and will investigate. We need to bring this to the attention of our representatives. Just sitting by and allowing them to do this to you is no good. It's no good for you and it's no good for me. The more people that stand up and say something the more of a chance we've got. Now isn't the time to "hurry up and wait". Now is the time to voice your complaint to your congressman. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease".
Posted by: David | September 07, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Ok, I just called the VA this past Fri(sept 4th), and they informed me that it is now taking an average of 16-20 weeks to prcess claims, longer if you are living in California or Texas. I was told 22 weeks!!! WTF! I cant believe this. I cant even complete college now.
Posted by: ryan c | September 07, 2009 at 10:25 AM
So what are the people who submitted their claims back in June supposed to do if it's already September and they have not been processed. My claim was submitted by my school's VA office and not online. I have contacted the VA and was told over the phone that they couldn't find a reason why it hadn't been processed yet and was unable to procure an answer as to when it would be. All of the documentation was there to complete my transfer to the Post 9/11 but the technician over the phone could not give me a timeframe.
Another thing that I would like to point out is in the state of California where I live the monthly housing stipend is $2000 per month and every dime is needed due to cost of living out here. For me nonpayment of gi bill benefits means eviction. I could choose to look for a regular job like one other person pointed out but right now no one is hiring and it would take me awhile to find a person that is. That means while I attempt to find a position and quit school I am not only gonna go deeper into debt but am also gonna start having trouble paying my bills.
I know someone is going to try to write some insensitive garbage saying you should have planned things better, but the truth of the matter is that I planned things as best as I could to ensure that something like this wouldn't happen. However, there is only so much that any person can plan for in life. That is the reason that unlike many of the people I have seen posting comments I submitted my paperworks not weeks but almost three months before the new gi bill was to go into affect. However, the only thing I couldn't plan for were other people's incompetence in doing their job.
And for those people who are going to tell me about the hard job that the VA is doing. I am a workstudy with the VA and I watch what they do everyday. I know that although government workers are not lazy they do not do as productive a job as private employees. I watch their once an hour coffee breaks and their 15 minute conversations with coworkers even when they don't think I notice.
And I know that someone is going to respond saying that they work for the VA and what I'm saying isn't the truth but we all know that's a bunch a bull and chances are they are just saying that in order to refute the statement I just made in defense of a system that has had a year to plan and implement. Let me state that again. They've had ONE YEAR to plan for all of this!!!
1. One year to publish the new rules.
2. One year to hire new employees.
3. One year to train all of their employees.
4. One year to implement the new system.
5. One year to create the documentation to switch over which would have been no more than to create a few new lines on their already existing form.
6. One year to accept the applications although they did not start accepting applications until less than 4 months before the new bill was to go into effect.
That is why, for anyone reading this post, I decided last week to contact my congressman's office and they are investigating into the matter. Not just for me, but for those people who have fallen through the cracks in the system and are waiting for a response.
I am also using any channel of communication necessary to get the message across to other vets.
If we want the system to work for us, we as veterans must come together in solidarity and ask the tough questions of the VA, and stop allowing them to give us excuses while we stand back and take it.
Posted by: David | September 07, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Sergeant Major's right. I called the VA last thursday. They said they recieved my enrollment papers Aug. 5th and expect 6 weeks before I receive benefits.
Posted by: Chad | September 06, 2009 at 11:08 PM
As a retired Sergeant Major who has spoken with numerous VA personnel about the payment times, I will give you the bottom line: 2 things must happen
a) VA has to do the paperwork to covert you over to CHAPTER 33. Once they have recieved your application, it will take at least 6-8 weeks for it to get processed. Expect over 8 weeks.
b) Your school has to have submitted your attendance dates and hours for the Fall semester.
Once you have been accepted into Chapter 33 (again expect at least 8 weeks), then wait at least another 4-6 weeks before the payment paperwork to get processed.
After both sets of paperwork are complete, then you can expect to get paid by the very end of the month or the first week of the month after waiting the last 4-6 weeks after the payment paperwork has been processed.
So in a perfect world, you could get paid in 12-16 weeks from the time of the paperwork submission IF both sets of paperwork were submitted at the same time.
Posted by: James | September 05, 2009 at 02:24 AM
Has anybody found out facts from the VA department? I will admit this has bound me up paying out of pocket and I just want to know how long it could possibly take to receive the first payment. My school informed me as well that they were not to turn in the paperwork until after the drop add period per the VA workshop instructions. If anyone has made contact, please relay the information to the rest of us. Thank you.
Posted by: Doug | September 04, 2009 at 10:15 PM
I quit a full time position and took a part time position in order to take advantage of the Post 9/11. I have two kids and no food or gas. I am impatiently waiting on money that no one can tell me when its coming. This by far has to be the worst case scenario for those of us who are "barely" making it through the recession. If we were trending water before, this does not help at all. Though all this I have managed to do well, only now have I become worried. I feel helpless and like my hands are tied behind my back. Now, I pray and wait. To everyone else, I hope the best and remember you are not alone. Reach out and ask those around you for help, I know I am. Also, please stay strong, please! WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!
Posted by: Keke | September 04, 2009 at 05:27 AM
"Buzz Up" this article by clicking on the link below or cutting and pasting the url. Comment there too and lets get this on Yahoo's front page! The CH. 33 Corps marches on!
http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/1:7b92a3d3b9391168af7017d6116d1971:597e4a49d7009eb14f332ff506738825/Whos-to-Blame-for-Post-911-GI-Bill-Benefit-Delays?usc=1
Posted by: "VA Blames GI Bill Delays on Schools" | September 03, 2009 at 06:53 AM
FYI, my daughter and i were able to get a PARENT PLUS loan from Fannie Mae. Here is the website:http://www.salliemae.com/ Get busy people! The process was easy and i was contacted the same day. I was approved immediately to my surprise. Now all i have to figure out is are the benefits going to be allowed even though we have a loan for her last year. I would like to be able to cancel it once the benefits start? This is just one option. Payments have to be made 60 days from the last check that is sent out to the institution. Make sure you read and select the right loan for you. Best thing to do is apply on line and talk with someone to see what your options for repayment are. Especially the Vets without jobs. post a comment if you have any answers to my questions? Thanks. STEEL RAIN!
Posted by: SFC Hewitt | September 03, 2009 at 01:24 AM
I have not received any payments as of today. The VA will figure it out, so just give them some time. I suggest some of you guys take an English class and learn the proper uses of punctuation.
Posted by: SB2 | September 02, 2009 at 11:13 PM
The school was the problem in my case. I pre-enrolled in June. I took the "signed off" validation to the school VA counselor in the same month. The counselor did not send my certification off to the VA until August 13th. When I questioned the counselor about this he told me, "There must have been a lot of veterans ahead of you". Are you for real!
Posted by: Jerry | September 02, 2009 at 08:15 PM
THE VA NEVER PAID MY TUITION NOR HOUSING NOR MONEY FOR BOOKS. MY COLLEGE DISENROLLED ME FROM MY COURSES BECAUSE THE VA NEVER PAID!!! WE VETERANS ALWAYS SUFFER AND ARE LIED TO SINCE THE DAY WE WENT TO OUR RECRUITING OFFICE. WORDS CAN'T DESCRIBE HOW UPSET I AM!!
Posted by: BG | September 02, 2009 at 05:07 PM
Still waiting 3 months for a supervisor call back from the VA. Unacceptable!!! Most colleges wait until the drop date to send up ur certificate. Mine was sent electronically and took 10 days to get there? I could have walked it there in ten days!!! Then the clock starts on the 6-8 weeks of wait time for the benefit. Veterans need to unite and get heard WE DESERVE BETTER---Hit me up At guitaristadam@yahoo.com and lets see what we can do
Posted by: Adam G. | September 02, 2009 at 12:07 PM
"Buzz Up" this article by clicking on the link below or cutting and pasting the url. Comment there too and lets get this on Yahoo's front page! The CH. 33 Corps marches on!
http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/1:7b92a3d3b9391168af7017d6116d1971:597e4a49d7009eb14f332ff506738825/Whos-to-Blame-for-Post-911-GI-Bill-Benefit-Delays?usc=1
Posted by: "VA Blames GI Bill Delays on Schools" | September 02, 2009 at 12:02 PM
For those of you telling Vets to "SUCK IT UP" I was a Marine deployed twice to iraq I know how to "suck it up" but you have to realize people may not be in the same circumstances as you. I have been collecting the GI bill for the last year and a half. And yes i depend on this money. Im a fulltime student and a single fulltime parent do you have any idea what daycare costs? Or even babysitters? I have a part time job....all my job money goes to babysitters and daycare. You cant take your child to school with you! Not only am I depending on these benifets my child is depending on these also. So for those of you telling VETs to "SUCK IT UP" you need to think before you speak!!
Posted by: Chad | September 02, 2009 at 11:46 AM
August 24, 2009
By Terry Howell
Last week's Blog covered news reports warning that a huge backlog of GI Bill "work items," which includes applications and payment claims, is causing a delay in Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits of up to 10 weeks. This week the backlog grew nearly 11 percent to over 234,000. To their credit, the VA has processed over 140,000 "work items" overall. In addition, it appears that at least 13,000 veterans will soon begin receiving benefits, if they have not already.
Note: It takes approximately 1.5 hours for VA to process each Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill application.
In a recent Chronicle of Higher Education article, Post-9/11 GI Bill Applicants Wait for Colleges to Certify Enrollment, Department of Veterans Affairs Director of Education Services, Keith Wilson, responded to the question about delays by suggesting that school certifying officials were to blame, saying that to date the VA had received only 13,000 certifications from the schools. “We have no control over when a school official will submit that enrollment certificate to us,” added Mr. Wilson.
Needless to say this has triggered an angry response from veteran’s program administrators and school certifying officials nationwide, denying that they are the bottleneck in the process.
Many of the certifying officials interviewed, said they were shocked to read the article and felt they were being stabbed in the back. A school certifying official, who wished to remain unnamed, said “the quote that stressed me is the one where he said they had no control over when a school sent an enrollment in. We have it in writing that we were to hold certifications until July 7, 2009.”
Another certifying official pointed out that there is no logical reason for a school to purposely delay the process, “not only is it bad for the student; it is bad for the school.” He also questioned the legitimacy of Mr. Wilson’s claim of receiving only 13,000 certifications.
Teri Gravenmier, veterans program administrator for the University of Alaska Anchorage, addressed Mr. Wilson’s assertion by explaining that in addition to other duties – including providing counseling and support for veteran students – “school certifying officials must verify not only that the student is qualified and how many credits they are registered for, but also that the coursework applies to their degree plan.” By comparison, “VA processors have one task to perform - process Chapter 33 [Post-9/11 GI Bill] applications,” Gravenmier points out.
Since early August, school certifying officials have been reporting serious payment errors made by the VA, including underpayments made because the VA failed to update their own database when the rates increased in August, duplicate tuition and fees payments, payments sent to the wrong schools, and payments made without supporting data including the student names. School officials have been told by the VA that they would not make any corrections to the payment issues until “Phase 3,” slated begin sometime in October.
Many of these errors and delays are easily attributed to a newly hired, inexperienced VA workforce, an understandable learning curve, lack of technical support systems, complicated requirements, and a huge flood of claims. But, many find it unfair for the VA to blame the schools for delays while they continue to have issues that still need to be addressed at the VA level.
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I enrolled in my particular school as soon as the program was announced for the fall term. I immediately used the VONAPP to process my conversion to the 9/11 program. I have already received a payment of $667 dollars for the book stipend. I have not, however received any sort of BAH payment to date. I am starting to feel the pinch a little bit, but should be able to get by. Some more communication / information would be nice.
Posted by: Matt C | September 10, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Live from Capitol Hill: House VA Committee to host hearing on VA/SPAWAR partnership of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill
This afternoon, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs will host a hearing to discuss the partnership between VA and Navy SPAWAR tasked with developing an electronic filing system for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. AMVETS will be on hand in Cannon 334 at 1:30 p.m. for the hearing.
To view the live video feed of today's hearing, Click Here.
In recent weeks, AMVETS has been tracking the implementation of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, tracking payments and the backlog of claims. Though today's hearing is supposed to simply address the next phase of implementation, AMVETS wants to see Congress address the outstanding issues facing veterans already enrolled for the new Chapter 33 benefits.
Since the VA started accepting enrollment verifications on July 6, it has come to AMVETS' attention that most veterans will not receive timely payment of their living stipends and that VBA has also missed its deadlines for reimbursing schools for tuition.
While many schools have been understanding of the situation, landlords and utility companies will not be so understanding of the financial hardships.
American Veteran has already received numerous comments from veterans who have been forced to take out student loans in order to make ends meet.
After numerous calls and meetings with VA leaders to discuss the G.I. Bill and the payment processes, AMVETS has only been left with more questions about workload and benefits-delivered. AMVETS leaders will continue to ask these questions, until they receive satisfactory answers and solutions.
Check back with American Veteran Online this afternoon to learn more about today's hearing.
Posted by: Naomi S | September 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I have been keeping up with the postings following this article and I have yet to see anyone comment on the regular old chapter 30. I opted out of the new program because I feared such problems as delays and further complications. I have yet to receive my chpt 30 benefits and have been attending the same school for spring, summer, and now the fall semester. I cannot even certify. I know many of you are experiencing the same difficulties under the post 911 bill but what about chapter 30???? When I call its the sam old "all lines are busy" and rather than place me on hold, they disconnect. HELP????
Posted by: John Smith | September 10, 2009 at 09:50 AM
I visted my CO at my school yesterday and she told me that the VA is telling her that students just need to wait for their money they and their schools will evently get their payments.
She recommended that I contact my local representive and that others should do the same.
For those who think we should just suck it up and get a job, some people may have been let go (like I have, because the minimum wage went up and she could no longer afford to pay me) and have trouble finding jobs at this time. I know some are in tougher situations and was hoping for this money to help them get through.
Posted by: Nancy | September 10, 2009 at 04:22 AM
The VA told me it'll take 4-6 to receive payment. LIES LIES LIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I applied for the Post 911 MAY 1. My enrollment Verification went out AUG 2!!!!! still no money. They keep telling me 4 to 6 weeks!!! I'll tell you what, you better start getting ready for Spring semester cause these **********...As soon as I can register for my spring classes I will...
Posted by: Eff This | September 09, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Wow!! blame your schools official? come on ... the backlog is now 275,000. Schools have been certifying student as soon as they were able to. Schools want to get paid too, they sure dont need to get calls from us veterans wanting to know when they will be paid everday and they want to make sure ... they are doing the best job they can with the information they receive from the VA. The VA kept changing the process on the schools from what I know (certify after drop add)... and the backlog continues to grow. The rates for each state maximum kept changing, VA had IT issues, and with a backlog of 275K and new VA employees trying to keep up with the workload its going to get worse before it gets better. School just started within the past few weeks ... the back log will get bigger and all of us are in the workflow. If you want things to get better, tell the folk on capital hill how thier new GI Bill is being handled ... again it was congress that put this GI Bill into place ... they need to follow up to insure thier GI Bill is working properly.
Posted by: Radar | September 09, 2009 at 09:54 AM
--------BY THE WAY, DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THEY ARE GOING TO TAX OUR BAH AND STIPEND?--------------
Posted by: ryan from houston | September 09, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Were people honestly under the impression that the beginning of an entirely new chapter to the G.I. Bill would be launched without ANY flaws? It should have been painfully obvious to anyone that has ever dealt with the VA in any way whatsoever that things would be incredibly backed up at first but would eventually work themselves out. And by "work themselves out," I mean, we WILL get reimbursed for whatever we rate, so what is the purpose of whining like a child? Funny how quick us veterans are to point out "all our time in the sand" and "what we did for our country" and at the same time sounding like every whiny liberal out there who assumes they are entitled to anything and everything from the government. Yes, I know, we DO rate the benefits but it doesn't mean we have to bad mouth the ones that have chosen to offer us the benefits and sound like the very people that epitomize what is so wrong with this nation that we DO fight to protect (let's hope it wasn't in vain, by the way, as we seem to be more and more accepting of socialism all of a sudden). I cannot imagine how on earth they could possibly be caught up with everything even by October, but if they are, I would be extremely impressed and had absolutely no reason to believe I would be getting my benefits that quickly when well over a quarter of a million people have applied! Perhaps somewhere an article was written guaranteeing veterans prompt payment under this new bill, but I never saw it and if I had, I still wouldn't have believed it. This is not a case of foolish incompetence of the VA, this is an overwhelming task by any standards, but the bottom line is that obviously we will eventually get the money so if you weren't prepared for a longer waiting period than usual, then perhaps ignorance has been the bigger issue and you should've waited to apply for the post 9/11 bill when it was more established.
Posted by: B.J.B. | September 09, 2009 at 05:55 AM
I'd make a comment, but it seems like whats on my mind has already been said. I am just so disappointed. But you know what i can believe this would happen. with all these government programs failing and all under this new communist regime.Its just so depressing. I am broke. flat broke! I remember how awesome this sounded! I should of known better. Just when you think you can rely on your government for your 4 years of service. for your years of spending b days, Christmas, new years, thanksgivings, valentines days, and anniversary's in the desert fighting the presidents wars. lol just boggles the mind. truly boggles the mind.
Posted by: ryan from houston | September 09, 2009 at 05:23 AM
My paperwork was sent to the VA by my school on July 23, 2009 and I still have not received anything since my last payment under Chapter 30 during the summer. I called the GIBill number and was told Buffalo is taking up to 8 eight weeks.
Posted by: Nancy | September 09, 2009 at 05:02 AM
"The schools don't/won't certify a claim until AFTER class has started to assure you are going to school and not just trying to get the money..."
The lies just keep on coming. UNBELIEVABLE.
Posted by: USAF8405 | September 08, 2009 at 09:52 PM
The schools don't/won't certify a claim until AFTER class has started to assure you are going to school and not just trying to get the money...
Posted by: Michael | September 08, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Make sure you DOUBLE check with your VA official at your school to make sure that they have submitted the certification. They WILL sit on it, such as with my case. I e-mailed the guy twice in July and August, and did not get it done until I showed up in person! Now I'm hoping the VA will do their part in 4-8 weeks....which by that time Fall Semester will be coming to a close.
Posted by: Tom | September 08, 2009 at 06:30 PM
The VA is flat out lying. The schools have no reason to submit the paperwork. Everybody knows that the colleges are money hungry and vets equal guaranteed payment. They VA is doing a long audit and are not sensitive to the fact that the vets need the money. These VA caseworkers are getting their checks every month while we suffer. More vets should be case workers.
Posted by: Antonio | September 08, 2009 at 05:07 PM
Golly Robert
I seriously doubt that they are going to get their knickers in a bunch from one little ol fax from me.
I didn't even mention my case. I told them I was okay financially and could wait, but had concerns about all the stories from other veterans I've read here and at another site. I passed on that information.
It made me feel better and at the end of the day - que sera, sera.
Posted by: sammytki | September 08, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Sammytki,
You can tell President Obama and Senator Webb anything you want, but come on--the president you needed to contact is the President of your school and the senator you needed to contact is the State Senator in charge of your college and university systems if you want to complain about your School Certifying Official failing to send your information to the VA in a timely manner.
The President and Congress can barely pay attention to one thing at the National level, much less wasting time running down some college employee who didn't do their job in sending your information on time. Just about nothing wastes more time than complaining to the wrong people.
Congress: address the failure of a Federal agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) to handle your case fairly and under the requirements of law.
Local Government: address the failure of a State agency or institution (YOUR SCHOOL) to handle your case fairly and under the requirements of law.
That's the point I'm making.
Posted by: Robert | September 08, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Geez Robert
Am I not allowed to contact my President and the author of the GI Bill to share my experience with the new benefit?
I'm sure they like to hear what is going on out there.
Posted by: sammytki | September 08, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Sammytki,
Why did you contact the President and your senator? At least in your case, it was your school's fault. You said it yourself, THE SCHOOL didn't send your information until August 19th.
I just don't understand why you think that's the VA's fault, warranting a congressional inquiry involving the President and Senator Webb...
Posted by: Robert | September 08, 2009 at 09:43 AM
I wish people will stop posting falsehoods here, such as "Only the office in Muskogee Oklahoma processes claims." There are enough lies out there on the Internet about the Post-9/11 GI Bill that can confuse the average PhD.
There are in fact 4 regional processing offices for claims: Muskogee, OK; St. Louis, MO; Buffalo, NY; and, Atlanta, GA.
It's good to read anecdotes and personal experiences but take things with a grain of salt. And, as with anything, if you must trust, be sure to VERIFY!! :p
Posted by: Robert | September 08, 2009 at 09:37 AM
I finally had an update from the VA; they are working my file.
I enrolled for the fall semester in APRIL. I submitted my application for the new GI Bill on MAY 5. My award letter was dated 18 MAY.
My school certifying official sent in my information on 19 AUGUST - 1 day before school started! This was months after i turned in my information and after being assured that he had already done so.
You bet I contacted my congressman. They have been calling and calling the school certifying official, but they never return his calls.
I also faxed the President and Senator Webb. This is unacceptable.
Posted by: sammytki | September 08, 2009 at 09:35 AM
I have seen in many e-mails where people believe that their regional VA office processes the GI Bill claims. That is not true. Only the office in Muskogee Oklahoma processes claims. If you got your new gi bill then congratulations!!! You won the gi bill lottery!!! As for the rest of us we are apparently the lottery losers.
Posted by: David | September 08, 2009 at 09:06 AM
I retired 5 years ago, I put my post 911 paper work in, June of this year. I started school in July and I still have not received my money for school or the BHA. I think the VA need to replace the workers, that has been working for the va for a long period of time. Because, when you work in a place for along period of time, you get lazy and you feel you can not be fired. They dont really care about us, the vetran, they take 3 hour lunch breaks, and go home at 5. Replace them, and watch things start to happen, with the VA.
Posted by: Micheal | September 08, 2009 at 07:36 AM
I turned my paperwork into the school on time. Luckily I called the VA ED department and asked if they had received anyhthing. They told me no, so I contacted my VA CO at the college immediately. She appologised, she had not done it, but she had so many claims and was basically overloaded, as she also woks at the reg. and enrollment. I think the schools were not prepared for the large influx of enrollments, but I'm not too upset because the VA will eventually pay me. It may take a while, they are slow, but I am still blessed to have the support of the Va as I am also a DAV.
Posted by: saundra k | September 08, 2009 at 07:10 AM
A report from the trenches: I got on VONAPP within days of the VA accepting applications in May. I received my Award certificate from the VA in early June. I faxed it to my school immediately. I enrolled on 6/18/09 in a Summer course that began in Mid-July and ended in late August. I had to pay upfront because the Post-9/11 GI Bill didn't begin paying out until 8/1/09. My school, University of Maryland University College (UMUC), as instructed by the VA, could not send my enrollment until 7/7/09; they did so on that date. The school got paid on 8/6/09; they refunded me in the amount that was covered by the VA (not the entire tuition but only for the portion of the class from 8/1/09 through the 8/20/09). Not a big deal since my employer is paying the balance. I got paid for my books on 8/4/09 and I received my BAH on 8/26/09 for August (earlier than I expected).
For the Fall semester, I am caught up in the 6-week delay, but I didn't enroll until 8/7/09 (UMUC sent the enrollment certification on 8/17/09).
Conclusions:
1. UMUC is an awesome, Vet-friendly school. I received an email assuring me to not worry; my class will not be cancelled or dropped and that I may go ahead and attend my class (which starts tonight).
2. Follow the rules, and do everything as early as possible. Do not delay--can not stress that enough.
3. Hope you are serviced by the Buffalo VA office. They are efficient and are doing a very good job with what they've had to deal with, given that they have been overwhelmed by the popularity of the program.
4. Do all the above for the Spring semester as soon as you are able. UMUC's registration for Spring begins October 1. Don't think I'm going to wait until December or even November to get the ball rolling for classes that start in January!
To sum all this up, you must-must-must-must start early and follow the rules, fill out all forms/applications completely and accurately. Pay attention to dates and timelines. Do not depend on these benefits for your daily living (if you can't afford to wait for reimbursement, then you have to make tough choices that only you can make depending on your situation).
Good luck, fellow vets!
Posted by: Robert | September 08, 2009 at 06:07 AM
I've been receiving benefits since August of 2008. never a problem. Nothing in my enrollment status has changed yet I havent received a payment since june. I can't even get anyone to tell me why this is. They keep saying I haven't called to verify June but I have several times. I just wish someone had some answers (that make sense)
Posted by: TJ | September 07, 2009 at 10:12 PM
I believe its the schools VA reps fault because I turned in my approval from the VA for my Post 9/11 Bill in May and the VA reps at my school never sent in my paper work for processing with the VA till Aug. 21. They should have sent it in on July 7th when they were allowed by the VA to send in applications. So, now I'm one of those students whose application hasn't been processed... and I need this money my husband lost his job, I don't work and we have a 17 months old to take care of and we are currently leaving of our savings what little we have left and credit cards that we haven't used in the last 10 months because we've been saving them for a emergency well here's the emergency till my husband gets a new job. Its only been 1 month.
Posted by: Lucy | September 07, 2009 at 09:45 PM
I understand everyone's frustration, however, we were all once soldiers and we know how to improvise. Yes, the VA will pay. I used the VA for vocactional rehab for by bachelor degree and now I'm using the Post 9/11 GI Bill for my master degree. For those of you going to a school that is making you front the money, leave that school. That means they don't respect you as a veteran. Schools know they are going to get their money from the government so they are wrong if they are telling you to pay up front.
As for your books, if you cannot afford them ask someone in your class if you can copy the book on the off days of class. I do this. I'm not going to allow any obstacles to stop me from getting my education. It there is a will there is a way. Come on soldiers and marines we don't watch things happen we make things happen.
I am a single mother of four, I work all day and go to school at night. This is just one more sacrifice I have to make if I am going to get where I'm going. It's sad that things are not right, but we need to crap or get off the pot.
Posted by: Tereasa | September 07, 2009 at 09:02 PM
I applied for the new Post 9/11 GI bill when they began accepting applications. I think that was in May. It only took 4 weeks to get my certification letter from the VA and the school I go to has already accepted and submitted my hours to the VA. The payments are delayed approximately 4 weeks (this is from my VA officer at the school) so be patient. I am a mother of 2 working from home while my husband is out job hunting. While I could use the money, I am not going to throw the VA under the bus. This is a new program and everyone needs to be patient. As for the $1000 book stipend. That is an annual payment so you will not be getting $1k every month. You get $47.61 per credit hour.
Posted by: April | September 07, 2009 at 08:58 PM
I planned ahead for the Post 911 GI Bill. I went to the VA certifying offical at my school. He explained to me several months ago that it was a new program and that I may not get payed until the end of October. I told him about a friend of mine who was going to school 12 hours a way from me. My friend is a veteran as well, and had questions about the Post 911 GI bill. He isn't the certifying offical for his school but offered to talk to him and explain to him how the new Post 911 GI bill works. I am not depending on the Post 911 GI bill and I work as well as much as I can to make sure I can provide for myself. Explain to me how I can work on the weekends, and go through a 5 day a week internship. I planned ahead thats how. Once the VA sorts through the paperwork. My VA rep told me in June that if the VA didn't pay me in time. They would in fact backpay all the money. I have noticed that my tuition has been payed. I just havent received any money for BAH. Im just giving it time. The VA will come through. They always do. I have nothing but good things to say about the VA. You should always plan for the worst possible situation.
Good luck! Stay Focused! It will work out!
SSgt US Air Force
Posted by: Danny | September 07, 2009 at 08:29 PM
If it takes the federal government a year to mess up the new GI bill, and it takes 16 weeks to simply say, "Yes!" to an application for school benefits for 240,000
well deserving veterans, can you imagine how messed up the feds will be if Obamacare gets opened up for 27,000,000 people. It will be sometime in 2040 before the feds hire (estimated 250,000 clerks), train, and implement the mandates of the Obamacare proposals. Can you imagine the screw ups when they try to implement in 2010???? Yikes!
Posted by: Mal | September 07, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Whoever the SGM was that said "Suck it Up" that is fine, but it's kind of hard to suck it up and get a job during a recession.
I saved a lot of money while in the Army and have been able to hold out. However, truly hope that the money kicks in by 1 OCT. Many students are either in school for the first time or in a professional school that takes up each and every moment of your day.
I know working is highly ill-advised for me. So, I am sure it may be for others waiting on the funds. I would say suck it up, but we did that on the front end, now it's time to be rewarded for service. Therefore, people should have a little frustration due to the delays.
The money is coming, everything seems favorable. So, try to hold out. We are the first group of people to get this so we will have to take the brunt of it all until it clears up.
Still and excellent program that will only improve I am sure.
Posted by: Joe | September 07, 2009 at 05:40 PM
The VA made it clear that this program did not start until Aug 1. So the first payment for those that started school in Aug should be arriving now. If you went to summer school, you should have been getting ch 30.
Yes the VA has issues and delays, but when congress wrote a new g.i. Bill, they made it very complicated. It used to be that there were 3 amounts + possibly a kicker. Now it depends on the state, school, length of service, and congress only gave them a year to implement it. Blame congress.
Not fair to anyone. I wish all the best of luck.
Posted by: Navynuke | September 07, 2009 at 05:32 PM
I got discharged on a honorable discharge after 12 years of service. It was solely involuntarily. After two years of doing nothing but working jobs that really did not fit my needs. I decided to go back to school so that I could get a degree and possibly have my family living a better life and not pay check to pay check. When the post 9/11 GI Bill came out it was a blessing so I thought. The way it was explained to me was they were paying my tuition, giving me a housing allowance, and a book stipend. I have yet to receive any of these. It is going on 6 weeks. I was told the money for my books would come as soon as they received clarification from the school, well they have 6 weeks ago, i have the letter stating it. So now I had to find $500.00 for my books, which has really put me in a financial bind. And when I have called the VA three times trying to find out information, I get that it is in progress. In progress could mean from 24 hours to whoever knows. This plan should have really been thought out before it was put out to the Veterans that might be depending on this money are now being led on. I can say the VA has done a lot for me however this is one that is not working in their favor.
Posted by: Michelle | September 07, 2009 at 05:18 PM
I totally agree. We are not welfare recipients. We are veterans receiving a benefit that we sacrificed our lives for. We abandoned our families and put ourselves in harms way to earn this right, and I do mean right. This is not a privilege that we get. We earned it through our sacrifices and deserve it more than any other generation of veterans since World War II. We were an all voluntary force that knew what we were doing and where we were going and still went. This isn't welfare. We aren't gonna be spending our lives mooching off of the government. This educational benefit is our opportunity to get ahead in this world and create a better life and a better America for ourselves and our families. If necessary the VA workers at Muskogee should work overtime to get this task done so that we can pursue our education without the fear of how we are going to make ends meet.
However, since this is not the case I implore all involved to contact your congressman. Use every avenue necessary to put the fear into the VA directors to motivate their people to do their job. Maybe some people here have a little nest egg to survive off of but don't trust that your nest egg will last until they pay you. Every voice that speaks up is another claim processed.
Posted by: David | September 07, 2009 at 11:17 AM
For all of you that are excepting the failure of our government to comply with what they promised, shame on you! In the military we never excepted nothing less than 100%. Can you imagine if we told are gunnies, chiefs, officers that sorry we are new and need a couple extra months before we can finish the job. This is unacceptable, and this is why our government is so messed up today, because there are so many that would reconcile with the government. I tell you what if it was the senaters, congressman, and war makers pay(benefits)getting messed with things would change in a heart beat. Shame on the government to make me bitch like a common welfare recipient after serving my country.
Posted by: juscorn | September 07, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Don't take their crap!!! Contact your congressman and make it an issue. You can go to their local office and they will have you fill out forms and will investigate. We need to bring this to the attention of our representatives. Just sitting by and allowing them to do this to you is no good. It's no good for you and it's no good for me. The more people that stand up and say something the more of a chance we've got. Now isn't the time to "hurry up and wait". Now is the time to voice your complaint to your congressman. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease".
Posted by: David | September 07, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Ok, I just called the VA this past Fri(sept 4th), and they informed me that it is now taking an average of 16-20 weeks to prcess claims, longer if you are living in California or Texas. I was told 22 weeks!!! WTF! I cant believe this. I cant even complete college now.
Posted by: ryan c | September 07, 2009 at 10:25 AM
So what are the people who submitted their claims back in June supposed to do if it's already September and they have not been processed. My claim was submitted by my school's VA office and not online. I have contacted the VA and was told over the phone that they couldn't find a reason why it hadn't been processed yet and was unable to procure an answer as to when it would be. All of the documentation was there to complete my transfer to the Post 9/11 but the technician over the phone could not give me a timeframe.
Another thing that I would like to point out is in the state of California where I live the monthly housing stipend is $2000 per month and every dime is needed due to cost of living out here. For me nonpayment of gi bill benefits means eviction. I could choose to look for a regular job like one other person pointed out but right now no one is hiring and it would take me awhile to find a person that is. That means while I attempt to find a position and quit school I am not only gonna go deeper into debt but am also gonna start having trouble paying my bills.
I know someone is going to try to write some insensitive garbage saying you should have planned things better, but the truth of the matter is that I planned things as best as I could to ensure that something like this wouldn't happen. However, there is only so much that any person can plan for in life. That is the reason that unlike many of the people I have seen posting comments I submitted my paperworks not weeks but almost three months before the new gi bill was to go into affect. However, the only thing I couldn't plan for were other people's incompetence in doing their job.
And for those people who are going to tell me about the hard job that the VA is doing. I am a workstudy with the VA and I watch what they do everyday. I know that although government workers are not lazy they do not do as productive a job as private employees. I watch their once an hour coffee breaks and their 15 minute conversations with coworkers even when they don't think I notice.
And I know that someone is going to respond saying that they work for the VA and what I'm saying isn't the truth but we all know that's a bunch a bull and chances are they are just saying that in order to refute the statement I just made in defense of a system that has had a year to plan and implement. Let me state that again. They've had ONE YEAR to plan for all of this!!!
1. One year to publish the new rules.
2. One year to hire new employees.
3. One year to train all of their employees.
4. One year to implement the new system.
5. One year to create the documentation to switch over which would have been no more than to create a few new lines on their already existing form.
6. One year to accept the applications although they did not start accepting applications until less than 4 months before the new bill was to go into effect.
That is why, for anyone reading this post, I decided last week to contact my congressman's office and they are investigating into the matter. Not just for me, but for those people who have fallen through the cracks in the system and are waiting for a response.
I am also using any channel of communication necessary to get the message across to other vets.
If we want the system to work for us, we as veterans must come together in solidarity and ask the tough questions of the VA, and stop allowing them to give us excuses while we stand back and take it.
Posted by: David | September 07, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Sergeant Major's right. I called the VA last thursday. They said they recieved my enrollment papers Aug. 5th and expect 6 weeks before I receive benefits.
Posted by: Chad | September 06, 2009 at 11:08 PM
As a retired Sergeant Major who has spoken with numerous VA personnel about the payment times, I will give you the bottom line: 2 things must happen
a) VA has to do the paperwork to covert you over to CHAPTER 33. Once they have recieved your application, it will take at least 6-8 weeks for it to get processed. Expect over 8 weeks.
b) Your school has to have submitted your attendance dates and hours for the Fall semester.
Once you have been accepted into Chapter 33 (again expect at least 8 weeks), then wait at least another 4-6 weeks before the payment paperwork to get processed.
After both sets of paperwork are complete, then you can expect to get paid by the very end of the month or the first week of the month after waiting the last 4-6 weeks after the payment paperwork has been processed.
So in a perfect world, you could get paid in 12-16 weeks from the time of the paperwork submission IF both sets of paperwork were submitted at the same time.
Posted by: James | September 05, 2009 at 02:24 AM
Has anybody found out facts from the VA department? I will admit this has bound me up paying out of pocket and I just want to know how long it could possibly take to receive the first payment. My school informed me as well that they were not to turn in the paperwork until after the drop add period per the VA workshop instructions. If anyone has made contact, please relay the information to the rest of us. Thank you.
Posted by: Doug | September 04, 2009 at 10:15 PM
I quit a full time position and took a part time position in order to take advantage of the Post 9/11. I have two kids and no food or gas. I am impatiently waiting on money that no one can tell me when its coming. This by far has to be the worst case scenario for those of us who are "barely" making it through the recession. If we were trending water before, this does not help at all. Though all this I have managed to do well, only now have I become worried. I feel helpless and like my hands are tied behind my back. Now, I pray and wait. To everyone else, I hope the best and remember you are not alone. Reach out and ask those around you for help, I know I am. Also, please stay strong, please! WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!
Posted by: Keke | September 04, 2009 at 05:27 AM
"Buzz Up" this article by clicking on the link below or cutting and pasting the url. Comment there too and lets get this on Yahoo's front page! The CH. 33 Corps marches on!
http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/1:7b92a3d3b9391168af7017d6116d1971:597e4a49d7009eb14f332ff506738825/Whos-to-Blame-for-Post-911-GI-Bill-Benefit-Delays?usc=1
Posted by: "VA Blames GI Bill Delays on Schools" | September 03, 2009 at 06:53 AM
FYI, my daughter and i were able to get a PARENT PLUS loan from Fannie Mae. Here is the website:http://www.salliemae.com/ Get busy people! The process was easy and i was contacted the same day. I was approved immediately to my surprise. Now all i have to figure out is are the benefits going to be allowed even though we have a loan for her last year. I would like to be able to cancel it once the benefits start? This is just one option. Payments have to be made 60 days from the last check that is sent out to the institution. Make sure you read and select the right loan for you. Best thing to do is apply on line and talk with someone to see what your options for repayment are. Especially the Vets without jobs. post a comment if you have any answers to my questions? Thanks. STEEL RAIN!
Posted by: SFC Hewitt | September 03, 2009 at 01:24 AM
I have not received any payments as of today. The VA will figure it out, so just give them some time. I suggest some of you guys take an English class and learn the proper uses of punctuation.
Posted by: SB2 | September 02, 2009 at 11:13 PM
The school was the problem in my case. I pre-enrolled in June. I took the "signed off" validation to the school VA counselor in the same month. The counselor did not send my certification off to the VA until August 13th. When I questioned the counselor about this he told me, "There must have been a lot of veterans ahead of you". Are you for real!
Posted by: Jerry | September 02, 2009 at 08:15 PM
THE VA NEVER PAID MY TUITION NOR HOUSING NOR MONEY FOR BOOKS. MY COLLEGE DISENROLLED ME FROM MY COURSES BECAUSE THE VA NEVER PAID!!! WE VETERANS ALWAYS SUFFER AND ARE LIED TO SINCE THE DAY WE WENT TO OUR RECRUITING OFFICE. WORDS CAN'T DESCRIBE HOW UPSET I AM!!
Posted by: BG | September 02, 2009 at 05:07 PM
Still waiting 3 months for a supervisor call back from the VA. Unacceptable!!! Most colleges wait until the drop date to send up ur certificate. Mine was sent electronically and took 10 days to get there? I could have walked it there in ten days!!! Then the clock starts on the 6-8 weeks of wait time for the benefit. Veterans need to unite and get heard WE DESERVE BETTER---Hit me up At guitaristadam@yahoo.com and lets see what we can do
Posted by: Adam G. | September 02, 2009 at 12:07 PM
"Buzz Up" this article by clicking on the link below or cutting and pasting the url. Comment there too and lets get this on Yahoo's front page! The CH. 33 Corps marches on!
http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/1:7b92a3d3b9391168af7017d6116d1971:597e4a49d7009eb14f332ff506738825/Whos-to-Blame-for-Post-911-GI-Bill-Benefit-Delays?usc=1
Posted by: "VA Blames GI Bill Delays on Schools" | September 02, 2009 at 12:02 PM
For those of you telling Vets to "SUCK IT UP" I was a Marine deployed twice to iraq I know how to "suck it up" but you have to realize people may not be in the same circumstances as you. I have been collecting the GI bill for the last year and a half. And yes i depend on this money. Im a fulltime student and a single fulltime parent do you have any idea what daycare costs? Or even babysitters? I have a part time job....all my job money goes to babysitters and daycare. You cant take your child to school with you! Not only am I depending on these benifets my child is depending on these also. So for those of you telling VETs to "SUCK IT UP" you need to think before you speak!!
Posted by: Chad | September 02, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Facebook Group
I found this on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=158669119851&comments
What is going on at VA- The Inside Scoop
Tue at 8:03am
Is Your Claim Being Processed?:The Comments section for our “Notes” has received several questions and concerns about processing and paying claims under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Unfortunately, some recent articles news published on this have been inaccurate or misleading. We would like to explain in a little more detail what goes into processing Post-9/11 GI Bill claims.
The Process: Since the bill was signed in July 2008, we’ve been hard at work writing regulations, policies, and procedures, while at the same time creating a brand new system to process these claims. We had to develop all new computer software to calculate and pay your entitlement. We hired and trained hundreds of new employees to help process the massive amounts of new claims we expected to receive. Like any new system, we know it is not perfect, but we are working very hard to ensure that you are able to go to school this fall.
Current Status: As of the end of August we have received about 236,000 claims for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and have completely processed 169,000 of them. That leaves around 70,000 claims that have not been processed. 70% of those were received in the last 30 days.
Receiving so many claims in a short period of time is not uncommon for us. In fact, our claims processing time generally increases during the Fall and Spring enrollment periods for students going to school. In August, it took us an average of 28 days to process a Post-9/11 GI Bill claim.
We cannot begin paying you under any benefit program — including the Post-9/11 GI Bill — until your school certifying official verifies your enrollment information and reports that to VA. While we began accepting enrollment certifications from certifying officials on July 6, 2008, some states or schools did not finalize their tuition and fee rates until August. This impacts the ability of the certifying official verify your enrollment information to VA, since your official must report your tuition and fee cost to us. Also, some schools might not verify your enrollment until after the drop/add period is completed and your schedule is finalized. This also will delay the certifying official from verifying your enrollment to VA.
Finally, those individuals receiving payments under the Post-9/11 GI Bill who began school in August will receive their first full housing allowance payment around October 1, 2009. Housing allowance payments sent on or around September 1, 2009, are pro-rated for the days of attendance in August, in the same manner as is done for other VA education programs.
Also, If you have received notice from your school that payment delay will jeopardize your enrollment, please contact your school's VA certifying official and request that they address this issue with their VA point of contact.
comments by people:
Bruce Lee Brinkman
As the Post Adjutant/Service Officer, I am doing my best...
Tue at 8:07am · Report
Debbie Grzywinski Anderson
Can't blame it on the school when the school is still waiting on the Certificate of Eligibility... which is taking 8-12 weeks! And comments on that??
Christine Kessler
I havent seen ANY BAH yet and i started school in Aug. and Certified Aug 2nd
Manny Kung
HURRAY!!! It's not easy to make a quick transition program-wise in a short among of time but you guys did it and deserve the honor of helping out so many veterans to better ourself!!! Thanks a lot for letting us know how things go. God Bless!
Ruth Harris
Going on 11 weeks and I'm still patiently awaiting the arrival of my COE...much encouragement and thanks to all the hard workers at the Ed Dept of the VA!
Cheyenne Forsythe
I submitted everything a long time ago, submitted enrollment verification Aug 3rd. My tuition is paid, but if I weren't living with my parents, I'd be homeless and without books right now.
Dale Secco
I am in the Western Region, certified enrollment July 28th and I still have not seen anything from the VA. I am completely understanding of their situation, however, people are relying on this money to buy books and sadly, to live. Lets just hope that this delay is a one time thing and once the claims are processed, the money comes as it should.
Tony Medina
Certified enrollment 4 weeks (1month ago) still not paid.
Thomas M. Toker
At least they sent you , your certification , put it in MAY said they didnt recieve it till August, still have to wait on that to certify enrollment
J Butch White
this really does not motivate vets to enroll in school. i understand that these things take time as it is a new system but to what extent? what of those who have children and have quit their jobs in attempts to excel their education? the system is great in theory but how long is too long and should people be excited to "hurry up and wait"?
La'Trena Barrett
still not paid either and certified enrollment 4 weeks ago...i ended up having to get financial aid because mine only pays 90%.
Brian Hawthorne
Student Veterans of America is available to help veterans work with their school administrators to ensure they are processing their claims properly, as well as help with other veteran programs. Visit us at www.studentveterans.org
Good luck in school!
Tony Poynter
its like this because there is no accountability there, who ever is in charge of the people that we talk to and handles our paper work have no fear of losing there job, its a joke, there is a better way to do it all but they all choose not to do it that way
Daniel Umberger
if they stepped into the 21st century and made everything online so we could input our info ourselves, it wouldnt take so long to get done. They could recieve our info, Joe Doesnt Care About His Duties could check it, click verify, and poof! Money!
Gavin West
Seems all we can do is wait. Sad as that is..
Tue at 8:57am · Report
Jin Kong
i must be in that last 1% of people who filed early (In july), did everything on time (all applications completed by AUG), school sent all verification letters on time (in teh first week of August), and is still waiting to hear what the VA has done... so far, i received one letter from them (last week), indicating that they finally processed my claim and is waiting on my school to submit the enrollment verification... well, the school sent it a month ago!!! where are you VA???
Tony Poynter
im just sayin, if i wanted to join the army or whatever, the paper work would be done in a day, but since i want the gi bill money, that paper work takes 4-8 weeks, twice,
Tony Poynter
and what about if you need a question answered, u can call, wait on hold for an hour, to either be treated like an idiot or just get disc, thats the system that no one is paying attention too, and no one ever has a reason wy things are they way they are, they just laugh hen u ask them whats taking so long,
Joseph Pennington
If you owe the VA Money, they are quick to write you a letter or report you to the credit company if you dont pay them back in a certain about of time. Wish we could report them or get some back pay.
Tue at 9:07am · Report
Michael Trudeau
I like that they have time to create a cute logo "a new g.i. bill for a new country" but cant process claims for those of us who are shaping this new country
Kristopher Craw
Why it's happening is simple.
1) The VA thought they could find an outside contractor to develop the computer systems for processing the claims. They failed to find a suitable bid.
2) They assured Congress that they could handle it themselves, even though they previously stated that an outside contractor was the only viable method.... Read More
3) Not unpredictably, they over-estimated their own ability and failed to roll everything out on schedule. They are now playing catch up.
My problem with the VA isn't that the weren't able to get everything in place on time. I really believe that they are doing the best they can. My problem is the poor planning and lack of honesty.
Michelle Robinson
took me to 10 weeks to get my MGIB active duty money, and that is supposed to be QUICKER than post 911. The rep said that to me. and also said its a good thing i didnt switch over right now. i am not making this up, they really said that. he was the only honest rep i have talked to. others made up all kinds of stories about why it was so late. in the end it was just sitting with a rep somewhere at the wrong school for a month. why couldnt they have been that transparent with me four weeks ago?
Cheyenne Forsythe
Like I said I'd be homeless if it wasn't for my parents right now.
Paul Williams
It took me 10 weeks to get my eligibility, 2 weeks to wait on my VA rep to get my claim sent off, and now 2 more weeks due to having to add and swap classes. . . You guys say you are on top of things? Funny, That's why the SVA is after you huh? For those that have not gotten your payment, the SVA is taking a survey to advocate on your behalf to make the process run faster.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=oDtSpL46ocpUF_2bgEZy_2f37g_3d_3d
There is the link... Read More
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=158669119851&comments
What is going on at VA- The Inside Scoop
Tue at 8:03am
Is Your Claim Being Processed?:The Comments section for our “Notes” has received several questions and concerns about processing and paying claims under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Unfortunately, some recent articles news published on this have been inaccurate or misleading. We would like to explain in a little more detail what goes into processing Post-9/11 GI Bill claims.
The Process: Since the bill was signed in July 2008, we’ve been hard at work writing regulations, policies, and procedures, while at the same time creating a brand new system to process these claims. We had to develop all new computer software to calculate and pay your entitlement. We hired and trained hundreds of new employees to help process the massive amounts of new claims we expected to receive. Like any new system, we know it is not perfect, but we are working very hard to ensure that you are able to go to school this fall.
Current Status: As of the end of August we have received about 236,000 claims for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and have completely processed 169,000 of them. That leaves around 70,000 claims that have not been processed. 70% of those were received in the last 30 days.
Receiving so many claims in a short period of time is not uncommon for us. In fact, our claims processing time generally increases during the Fall and Spring enrollment periods for students going to school. In August, it took us an average of 28 days to process a Post-9/11 GI Bill claim.
We cannot begin paying you under any benefit program — including the Post-9/11 GI Bill — until your school certifying official verifies your enrollment information and reports that to VA. While we began accepting enrollment certifications from certifying officials on July 6, 2008, some states or schools did not finalize their tuition and fee rates until August. This impacts the ability of the certifying official verify your enrollment information to VA, since your official must report your tuition and fee cost to us. Also, some schools might not verify your enrollment until after the drop/add period is completed and your schedule is finalized. This also will delay the certifying official from verifying your enrollment to VA.
Finally, those individuals receiving payments under the Post-9/11 GI Bill who began school in August will receive their first full housing allowance payment around October 1, 2009. Housing allowance payments sent on or around September 1, 2009, are pro-rated for the days of attendance in August, in the same manner as is done for other VA education programs.
Also, If you have received notice from your school that payment delay will jeopardize your enrollment, please contact your school's VA certifying official and request that they address this issue with their VA point of contact.
comments by people:
Bruce Lee Brinkman
As the Post Adjutant/Service Officer, I am doing my best...
Tue at 8:07am · Report
Debbie Grzywinski Anderson
Can't blame it on the school when the school is still waiting on the Certificate of Eligibility... which is taking 8-12 weeks! And comments on that??
Christine Kessler
I havent seen ANY BAH yet and i started school in Aug. and Certified Aug 2nd
Manny Kung
HURRAY!!! It's not easy to make a quick transition program-wise in a short among of time but you guys did it and deserve the honor of helping out so many veterans to better ourself!!! Thanks a lot for letting us know how things go. God Bless!
Ruth Harris
Going on 11 weeks and I'm still patiently awaiting the arrival of my COE...much encouragement and thanks to all the hard workers at the Ed Dept of the VA!
Cheyenne Forsythe
I submitted everything a long time ago, submitted enrollment verification Aug 3rd. My tuition is paid, but if I weren't living with my parents, I'd be homeless and without books right now.
Dale Secco
I am in the Western Region, certified enrollment July 28th and I still have not seen anything from the VA. I am completely understanding of their situation, however, people are relying on this money to buy books and sadly, to live. Lets just hope that this delay is a one time thing and once the claims are processed, the money comes as it should.
Tony Medina
Certified enrollment 4 weeks (1month ago) still not paid.
Thomas M. Toker
At least they sent you , your certification , put it in MAY said they didnt recieve it till August, still have to wait on that to certify enrollment
J Butch White
this really does not motivate vets to enroll in school. i understand that these things take time as it is a new system but to what extent? what of those who have children and have quit their jobs in attempts to excel their education? the system is great in theory but how long is too long and should people be excited to "hurry up and wait"?
La'Trena Barrett
still not paid either and certified enrollment 4 weeks ago...i ended up having to get financial aid because mine only pays 90%.
Brian Hawthorne
Student Veterans of America is available to help veterans work with their school administrators to ensure they are processing their claims properly, as well as help with other veteran programs. Visit us at www.studentveterans.org
Good luck in school!
Tony Poynter
its like this because there is no accountability there, who ever is in charge of the people that we talk to and handles our paper work have no fear of losing there job, its a joke, there is a better way to do it all but they all choose not to do it that way
Daniel Umberger
if they stepped into the 21st century and made everything online so we could input our info ourselves, it wouldnt take so long to get done. They could recieve our info, Joe Doesnt Care About His Duties could check it, click verify, and poof! Money!
Gavin West
Seems all we can do is wait. Sad as that is..
Tue at 8:57am · Report
Jin Kong
i must be in that last 1% of people who filed early (In july), did everything on time (all applications completed by AUG), school sent all verification letters on time (in teh first week of August), and is still waiting to hear what the VA has done... so far, i received one letter from them (last week), indicating that they finally processed my claim and is waiting on my school to submit the enrollment verification... well, the school sent it a month ago!!! where are you VA???
Tony Poynter
im just sayin, if i wanted to join the army or whatever, the paper work would be done in a day, but since i want the gi bill money, that paper work takes 4-8 weeks, twice,
Tony Poynter
and what about if you need a question answered, u can call, wait on hold for an hour, to either be treated like an idiot or just get disc, thats the system that no one is paying attention too, and no one ever has a reason wy things are they way they are, they just laugh hen u ask them whats taking so long,
Joseph Pennington
If you owe the VA Money, they are quick to write you a letter or report you to the credit company if you dont pay them back in a certain about of time. Wish we could report them or get some back pay.
Tue at 9:07am · Report
Michael Trudeau
I like that they have time to create a cute logo "a new g.i. bill for a new country" but cant process claims for those of us who are shaping this new country
Kristopher Craw
Why it's happening is simple.
1) The VA thought they could find an outside contractor to develop the computer systems for processing the claims. They failed to find a suitable bid.
2) They assured Congress that they could handle it themselves, even though they previously stated that an outside contractor was the only viable method.... Read More
3) Not unpredictably, they over-estimated their own ability and failed to roll everything out on schedule. They are now playing catch up.
My problem with the VA isn't that the weren't able to get everything in place on time. I really believe that they are doing the best they can. My problem is the poor planning and lack of honesty.
Michelle Robinson
took me to 10 weeks to get my MGIB active duty money, and that is supposed to be QUICKER than post 911. The rep said that to me. and also said its a good thing i didnt switch over right now. i am not making this up, they really said that. he was the only honest rep i have talked to. others made up all kinds of stories about why it was so late. in the end it was just sitting with a rep somewhere at the wrong school for a month. why couldnt they have been that transparent with me four weeks ago?
Cheyenne Forsythe
Like I said I'd be homeless if it wasn't for my parents right now.
Paul Williams
It took me 10 weeks to get my eligibility, 2 weeks to wait on my VA rep to get my claim sent off, and now 2 more weeks due to having to add and swap classes. . . You guys say you are on top of things? Funny, That's why the SVA is after you huh? For those that have not gotten your payment, the SVA is taking a survey to advocate on your behalf to make the process run faster.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=oDtSpL46ocpUF_2bgEZy_2f37g_3d_3d
There is the link... Read More
Monday, September 7, 2009
Delays and more Delays
does this surprise you?
source: Military.com
Some New GI Bill Delays
Week of September 04, 2009
Several thousand veterans may get their monthly housing stipends under the New GI Bill later than expected. About two-thirds of the 67,000 remaining unprocessed claims were submitted only in the last 30 days. Claims take 28 days to be processed on average, and beneficiaries have been told to get them in at least a month ahead. However, 20,000 of the unprocessed claims are more than 30-days old. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) received 236,000 claims related to the Post-9/11 GI Bill and completed action on 169,000. For more information on the New GI Bill, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website.
source: Military.com
Some New GI Bill Delays
Week of September 04, 2009
Several thousand veterans may get their monthly housing stipends under the New GI Bill later than expected. About two-thirds of the 67,000 remaining unprocessed claims were submitted only in the last 30 days. Claims take 28 days to be processed on average, and beneficiaries have been told to get them in at least a month ahead. However, 20,000 of the unprocessed claims are more than 30-days old. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) received 236,000 claims related to the Post-9/11 GI Bill and completed action on 169,000. For more information on the New GI Bill, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Refund?
This was brought to my attention early today -
Question
Do I get a refund of the $1,200.00 buy-in for the Montgomery GI Bill?
Answer
Any individual who paid the $1,200.00 buy-in for the Montgomery GI Bill and elects to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill may be refunded a proportional amount if, and after all entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is used. Individuals who do not use all their entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will not receive a refund of contributions paid under the Montgomery GI Bill.
GI BILL QUESTION SOURCE
Question
Do I get a refund of the $1,200.00 buy-in for the Montgomery GI Bill?
Answer
Any individual who paid the $1,200.00 buy-in for the Montgomery GI Bill and elects to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill may be refunded a proportional amount if, and after all entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is used. Individuals who do not use all their entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will not receive a refund of contributions paid under the Montgomery GI Bill.
GI BILL QUESTION SOURCE
A day at School
As you may already know, I attend school at the Art Institute of California - San Francisco. My commute with a car would be about an hour with no traffic... and another, say, about 20 min to park and so on... the cost of me driving would also put me into the poor house so I take public transportation... and my bike!
The Bay Area Rapid Transit system (aka BART) is a great way to go. About a mile from my house carrying 20-30 lbs of school stuff is not that bad on a bike at 6am.
After locking up the bike, purchasing a ticket, and taking the auto stares as I call it up to the train my 45 min BART ride begins.
Granted I could probably take the later train since my class does not start till about 8 but you never know what delays you might have (like the Bay Bridge being closed) or if you are running late... but the main think about the early train is that there are not a lot of people on it... and the train driver actually speaks up when you approach the station, all the other ones... not so much.
Finally in class, after fighting off bums with terrible morning breath (probably over the past several years) you get a magnificent view of the Market Street Cinema... a strip club.
class for 4 hours can be a bit boring so people like to spice it up
and after the long crowded elevator rides
you get to hand out with the bums on the campus square ;)
The Bay Area Rapid Transit system (aka BART) is a great way to go. About a mile from my house carrying 20-30 lbs of school stuff is not that bad on a bike at 6am.
After locking up the bike, purchasing a ticket, and taking the auto stares as I call it up to the train my 45 min BART ride begins.
Granted I could probably take the later train since my class does not start till about 8 but you never know what delays you might have (like the Bay Bridge being closed) or if you are running late... but the main think about the early train is that there are not a lot of people on it... and the train driver actually speaks up when you approach the station, all the other ones... not so much.
Finally in class, after fighting off bums with terrible morning breath (probably over the past several years) you get a magnificent view of the Market Street Cinema... a strip club.
class for 4 hours can be a bit boring so people like to spice it up
and after the long crowded elevator rides
you get to hand out with the bums on the campus square ;)
4-8 weeks
It has been just over a month now and still have not received my check. It has been almost two months to where I have received any moneys at all. I guess the VA is now backed up - up to 8 weeks. It is a bit frustrating since this is the money a lot of us are going to rely on. Yeah I should have some savings but when you have a dead end job before hand there is only so much you can save when you have 4 kids. It looks like I might be forced to find away to get a loan or a job. The only negative about a job is that I will not be paid for at least another 2 weeks.... and that's if you can find a job in this economy. My advice is to hold on to a job or a part time gig if you have no other income until you start getting paid.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Getting Supplies
As I said in an earlier post, I hope I can motivate veterans to take advantage of their GI bill, live where they want, and study where they like.
My school is located in the heart of San Francisco and the bad part about it is that the teachers some times ask of things that are hard to find in the suburbs.
I had to go to the city to buy two boards... a total of about $6... yeah... 6 bucks and had to drive a whole 45min so I made it a day trip out of it with the family.
After fighting traffic in the city we went down by the Bay Bridge since we usually make our way over to pier 39, golden gate, golden gate bridge or just the beach.
We had a nice stroll through the city checking out the cool large buildings and a bunch of other things.
After a long stroll we headed back to the car and took off back to are home across the bay.
My school is located in the heart of San Francisco and the bad part about it is that the teachers some times ask of things that are hard to find in the suburbs.
I had to go to the city to buy two boards... a total of about $6... yeah... 6 bucks and had to drive a whole 45min so I made it a day trip out of it with the family.
After fighting traffic in the city we went down by the Bay Bridge since we usually make our way over to pier 39, golden gate, golden gate bridge or just the beach.
We had a nice stroll through the city checking out the cool large buildings and a bunch of other things.
After a long stroll we headed back to the car and took off back to are home across the bay.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The Post-9/11 GI Bill August Update
Source of story - military.com
By Terry Howell
The Post-9/11 GI Bill became reality for thousands of veterans this week. Several veterans have already started receiving their benefits under the new program. Although there are some reports of payment errors – including both under and over payments – the VA is working in earnest to process the claims as quickly and correctly as possible. As of August 3, the VA had a back log of over 174K education assistance claims. That is a 500% increase over the same time last year.
A Major Tuition Glitch Fixed - In addition, this week brought some welcome news that the VA and the State of California had reached a compromise that eliminated the glitch that would have denied veterans tuition payments if they attended privately operated colleges and universities located in California. To learn more read the full story.
New Tools to Aid Veterans Choice - One draw back to the Post-9/11 GI Bill is that it is not always the best option for every veteran. (See “GI Bill No Longer One Size Fits All”) The issue is compounded by the fact that the choice to switch is irrevocable, making it very important for veterans to choose wisely.
Last week the VA released a helpful tool to aid vets in their research on which GI Bill (MGIB or P911 GIB) best fits their needs. The tool is a step-by-step guide that helps veterans see how their needs align (or not) with the new P911 GIB. The guide also helps veterans with gathering paperwork, comparing actual costs to benefits, a side-by-side comparison of the benefits and a benefit “estimator” which estimates the cash value of each member’s basic P911 GIB benefit. Visit the VA website to learn more.
New 2010 Tuition and Fees Payment Rates - This week the VA updated the State-by-State Tuition and Fees table for 2010. The tuition rates have increased as much as 10 percent for some states. The latest update includes changes for California, Minnesota and New Jersey in-state undergraduate tuition and fee rates. Several states and locations have yet to update their rates for 2010: Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Guam has also failed to report new figures as of the last posted update on Aug. 5, 2009. The new 2010 Tuition and Fees table is available at Military.com.
By Terry Howell
The Post-9/11 GI Bill became reality for thousands of veterans this week. Several veterans have already started receiving their benefits under the new program. Although there are some reports of payment errors – including both under and over payments – the VA is working in earnest to process the claims as quickly and correctly as possible. As of August 3, the VA had a back log of over 174K education assistance claims. That is a 500% increase over the same time last year.
A Major Tuition Glitch Fixed - In addition, this week brought some welcome news that the VA and the State of California had reached a compromise that eliminated the glitch that would have denied veterans tuition payments if they attended privately operated colleges and universities located in California. To learn more read the full story.
New Tools to Aid Veterans Choice - One draw back to the Post-9/11 GI Bill is that it is not always the best option for every veteran. (See “GI Bill No Longer One Size Fits All”) The issue is compounded by the fact that the choice to switch is irrevocable, making it very important for veterans to choose wisely.
Last week the VA released a helpful tool to aid vets in their research on which GI Bill (MGIB or P911 GIB) best fits their needs. The tool is a step-by-step guide that helps veterans see how their needs align (or not) with the new P911 GIB. The guide also helps veterans with gathering paperwork, comparing actual costs to benefits, a side-by-side comparison of the benefits and a benefit “estimator” which estimates the cash value of each member’s basic P911 GIB benefit. Visit the VA website to learn more.
New 2010 Tuition and Fees Payment Rates - This week the VA updated the State-by-State Tuition and Fees table for 2010. The tuition rates have increased as much as 10 percent for some states. The latest update includes changes for California, Minnesota and New Jersey in-state undergraduate tuition and fee rates. Several states and locations have yet to update their rates for 2010: Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Guam has also failed to report new figures as of the last posted update on Aug. 5, 2009. The new 2010 Tuition and Fees table is available at Military.com.
First Day of School
My first day of school was on Aug., 20, 2009. I chose to go to the Art Institute of California - San Francisco to study Web Design and Interactive Media.
After spending 3 years being a photojournalist at a paper in the Bay Area I chose web design because it made the most sense and it was something I found interest in.
I was fortunate enough to find a couple military people and hit it off right away since we had so much in common already. Transition into civilian life is not that easy. Military is a whole other world. Though we think we are not respected we probably get more respect while in the military than in the real world. That said... all three of us did not receive any of our money yet. Granted this is a very new program and there seems to be confusion with the schools its best to ask a lot of questions and push what you think is right.
The old GI bill you called and let them know you are enrolled in class and then the school would go ahead and send in your paperwork after the add/drop date. Now since there is BAH involved and the money to the school goes directly to them... the school needs to certify you.
When I spoke to the VA people over the phone they had told me everything is alright and ill get my money on the first day of school but since there is a back up with a lot of vets going to school, the process is taking 4-6 weeks to where it used to take 10 days. so it is imperative that the school certifies you when you register for classes.
To break it down this is what I did:
Met up with the admissions folks.
Enrolled in school.
Applied for benefits using VONAPP - https://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
Received my certificate of eligibility.
Met with a financial officer at the school.
Applied for the yellow ribbon program (more money for school).
After all the approval process I called the VA and asked what to do next. They told me once I receive another letter telling me they got my enrollment stuff and I can move to the next step is have my school send them a form (the school should know the name) that I am enrolled for classes... now this is where you will have to beg them to send it since there are a lot of mix-up with the old and new GI bill.
To this day I still have not received a dime and probably will not see it till later on but now I have everything in place so I should be able to see my money soon :)
One thing I do recomend is if the school asked you of something as far as GI related do not give it to them until you speak to one of the people at the VA to confirm that is what you need. You can get a hold of a VA person at this number: 1-888-GIBILL-1
After spending 3 years being a photojournalist at a paper in the Bay Area I chose web design because it made the most sense and it was something I found interest in.
I was fortunate enough to find a couple military people and hit it off right away since we had so much in common already. Transition into civilian life is not that easy. Military is a whole other world. Though we think we are not respected we probably get more respect while in the military than in the real world. That said... all three of us did not receive any of our money yet. Granted this is a very new program and there seems to be confusion with the schools its best to ask a lot of questions and push what you think is right.
The old GI bill you called and let them know you are enrolled in class and then the school would go ahead and send in your paperwork after the add/drop date. Now since there is BAH involved and the money to the school goes directly to them... the school needs to certify you.
When I spoke to the VA people over the phone they had told me everything is alright and ill get my money on the first day of school but since there is a back up with a lot of vets going to school, the process is taking 4-6 weeks to where it used to take 10 days. so it is imperative that the school certifies you when you register for classes.
To break it down this is what I did:
Met up with the admissions folks.
Enrolled in school.
Applied for benefits using VONAPP - https://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
Received my certificate of eligibility.
Met with a financial officer at the school.
Applied for the yellow ribbon program (more money for school).
After all the approval process I called the VA and asked what to do next. They told me once I receive another letter telling me they got my enrollment stuff and I can move to the next step is have my school send them a form (the school should know the name) that I am enrolled for classes... now this is where you will have to beg them to send it since there are a lot of mix-up with the old and new GI bill.
To this day I still have not received a dime and probably will not see it till later on but now I have everything in place so I should be able to see my money soon :)
One thing I do recomend is if the school asked you of something as far as GI related do not give it to them until you speak to one of the people at the VA to confirm that is what you need. You can get a hold of a VA person at this number: 1-888-GIBILL-1
New benefit, New life
A friend of mine told me that the government came out with a plan, a plan that would change my life. The new Montgomery GI bill for veterans who served under the 9/11 war on terror would actually be rewarded with something, the post 9/11 GI Bill.
I had no idea this existed and did not understand what kind of benefits I was going to receive, and if I qualified.
After a lot of research I came to find out I did qualify and it was something I wanted to do.
This was great! Granted I was one of the lucky ones who landed a job as soon as I got out of the military, this was still a great thing since the economy was so bad and there was no where to go at my job and had no idea how long it would stay open.
Now what is the point of this blog... well I want to share my experiences with everyone and hope to encourage and inform as many veterans as possible to take advantage of this great opportunity that has come to us.
I had no idea this existed and did not understand what kind of benefits I was going to receive, and if I qualified.
After a lot of research I came to find out I did qualify and it was something I wanted to do.
This was great! Granted I was one of the lucky ones who landed a job as soon as I got out of the military, this was still a great thing since the economy was so bad and there was no where to go at my job and had no idea how long it would stay open.
Now what is the point of this blog... well I want to share my experiences with everyone and hope to encourage and inform as many veterans as possible to take advantage of this great opportunity that has come to us.
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