$3,000 Immediate Checks to be Handed (literally) To Vet Students Who Haven't Received Benefits

Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 18:14:58 PM EDT

Hopefully, that is the first of many headlines we'll see like that, which I can't imagine seeing in the last Administration.

As previously reported here at VetVoice, the Department of Veterans of Affairs conducted a roundtable call with high level Department officials and members of Vet focused new media. As a direct result of the issues raised on that call, the VA is taking the most active steps I have EVER seen to correct issues within their Department and help Veterans that are in need due to not receiving their benefits:


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.

This is really amazing. This shows what can be done when you have a VA that legitimately cares about Veterans. Bravo VA. Bravo.

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=23D66EDEBDA4F92F659FFBF7FCFCBEC3?diaryId=3197

My school deferred my tuition. I had to pay for my books out of pocket. I'm not hurting like some are, but any extra money sure is nice.

If I want the 3K, I can drive to Waco or Houston - no chance that will be happening. I think my money should be here on Oct 1st. There was an article in the NYTimes yesterday that quoted a spokesperson from the VA that we should not have expected payment before October anyway.

The problem was the lack of communication from the VA. They are just now starting to jump through hoops. I faxed my congressman, senator and even President Obama.