by Lisa Weber

Created on: September 30, 2010   Last Updated: October 01, 2010

On Sept. 15, 2010, President Obama released a video encouraging all military servicemembers eligible for stop loss benefits to apply before time runs out.  In the video, the President addresses these servicemembers saying, “You worked hard. You earned this money. It doesn't matter whether you were active or Reserve, whether you're a veteran who experienced 'stop loss' or the survivor of a servicemember who did - if your service was extended, you're eligible." 

According to the Department of Defense, less than half of the more than 145,000 people eligible have submitted claims.  The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act established Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay providing $500 for each month/partial month served in stop loss status resulting in an average benefit of $3,700.      

Military members eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Pay must submit an application for benefits by October 21, 2010, or miss out on the benefit completely. 

*Eligibility - Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of servicemembers whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for the Retroactive Stop Loss Pay.  However, according to the Defense Appropiations Act and Effective Dec. 19, 2009, if you were stop-lossed and then voluntarily reenlisted or extended your service and received a bonus for your reenlistment or extension of service, you are no longer eligible to receive the Retroactive Stop Loss Pay. 

If you do meet the eligibility criteria, you may submit an application at any time between the dates of Oct. 21, 2009 and Oct. 21, 2010.  The DoD is under no lawful obligation to make payments on claims which have been submitted after the Oct. 21, 2010 deadline. 

*How to apply –If you are an eligible servicemember, you need to visit your specific service’s stop-loss website where you can submit your application online.  Each service’s website gives specific step-by-step instructions on how to submit your application and what documents you will need to provide.  Once you have completed the online submission, you will be given a claim number which allows for automated status updates as well as a way for the military service to contact you. 

*Links to service websites - The following service-specific sites provide more information and allow you to begin the RSLSP claim process.

*Army – call 877-736-5554 or visit the website. 

*Marine Corps – call 877-242-2830 or visit the website.

*Navy – call 901-874-4427 or visit the website.

*Air Force – call 800-525-0102 or visit the website.

*Documents you may need to have on hand –

*DD 214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and/or DD 215, Correction to DD 214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

*Personnel record – or any enlistment or reenlistment document which recordes your original expiration of service date.

*An approved retirement/transfer to the Fleet Reserve memorandum or orders establishing retirement prior to actual date of retirement as stipulated in DD 214 or DD 215

*An approved resignation memorandum or transition orders establishing a separation date prior to actual date of separation as stipulated on DD 214 or DD 215

*Signed documentation or affidavit from knowledgeable officials from the individual’s chain of command acknowledging separation/deployment, etc.

*Revocation of retirement or separation orders

Sources:

Department of Defense - Information on Retroactive Stop Loss Pay Benefits  

To see President Obama’s full web address go to www. whitehouse.gov

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