October 8, 2010

CARSON ANNOUNCES RETROACTIVE PAY DEADLINE FOR SOLDIERS AFFECTED BY STOP LOSS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Congressman André Carson urged eligible veterans and beneficiaries to apply for the retroactive stop loss pay owed to them before the upcoming December 3 deadline.

Eligible military personnel whose service was extended under stop loss orders in Iraq will receive $500 a month for each month their service was extended. The Defense Department estimates that while 145,400 troops are eligible, only 58,000 claims have been paid so far.

"We have a responsibility to do all that we can to support our men and women in uniform," said Congressman Carson. "That's why it's so important that these soldiers and veterans apply for the reimbursement. They have more than earned these payments through their service and we want to make sure they receive them."

Retroactive stop loss special pay was passed in 2009. This allows troops whose service was involuntarily extended between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 to file claims in order to receive retroactive pay if eligible. The deadline for submissions is December 3, 2010. The average benefit is $3,800.

For more information or to submit a claim please visit www.defense.gov/stoploss.

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