VA to issue emergency payments to vets for education benefits

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki authorized on Friday emergency payments of up to $3,000 to student veterans who have not received a payment this semester under the post-9/11 GI bill.

Students attending school under the bill are worried that VA will not send them their housing and living allowance stipend in time next month to pay rent. Student veterans at George Washington University told NextGov that none of the 400 veterans there have received payments from the department.

VA said the checks will be distributed to eligible students from the department's 57 nationwide regional benefits offices starting Oct. 2.

"Students should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties," Shinseki said. "Education creates life-expanding opportunities for our veterans."

Students must show a photo ID, a course schedule and an eligibility certificate to request an advanced payment for their housing and book allowances. A list of the VA regional offices is available on the Veterans Benefit Administration Web site.

VA also plans to send representatives to schools where a large number of veterans attend.

"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," said Patrick Dunne, under secretary for benefits at VA. "Not everyone has a car. Not everyone can walk to a VA benefits office."

The funds are advance payments for the earned benefits for housing and books. The money will be deducted from future education payments.

VA officials said after the special payment, students can expect to receive education payments on a normal schedule, at the beginning of the month following the period for which they are reimbursed.

"This is an extraordinary action we're taking," Shinseki said. "But it's necessary because we recognize the hardships some of our veterans face."