Mount Vernon Optic-Herald

The U.S. military owes about 120,000 veterans extra pay and the Veterans Administration is reaching out to find them. In order to receive this benefit, those who served under Stop Loss must submit a claim by Oct. 21, 2010.
The military is seeking soldiers, veterans, and survivors of soldiers whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss Authority between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2008. The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act stipulates they are eligible for special pay. Those eligible will receive $500 for each month or partial month served in Stop Loss status. This type pay was extended through June 2011 by the 2010 Defense Appropriations Act.
Under the 2010 Defense Appropriations Act and the Stop Loss Special Pay Program, this benefit was extended to other groups of service members. This includes members of the reserve components, former, and retired members who served on active duty while their enlistment or period of obligated service was extended, or whose eligibility for retirement was suspended from one of several identified groups are eligible for the benefit.
Stop Loss Veterans can submit their claim on line or by e-mail. The web sites and/or e-mails are military branch specific, as follows: Army, https://www.stoplosspay.army.mil or e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Marine Corps, https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/stoploss or e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Navy, e-mail only at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; and Air Force, http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss/.
Veterans can also link to the eligibility and claims information on the VA Vet Center home page at http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/index.asp; click on “RSLP” at the bottom of the left side column.