Arcuri Urges Soldiers Affected by Stop Loss to Apply for Retroactive Pay Before December 3rd Deadline
Press Release
Today, U.S. Rep. Michael A. Arcuri (NY-24) urged service members whose service was extended under stop loss orders in Iraq and Afghanistan to apply for retroactive pay before the December 3, 2010 Deadline. Troops eligible for retroactive pay will receive $500 a month for each month their service was extended.
"Our brave men and women have made tremendous sacrifices for our country," said Arcuri. "In 2009, we passed legislation to compensate our service members for tours that were involuntarily extended in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the deadline fast approaching, I urge all eligible troops to submit their claims so that they can receive the retroactive pay they earned through their service. Working with our local veterans organizations, I want to make sure that all eligible service members here in New York get the benefits they have earned."
The Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP) program, which was set to expire on October 21, 2010, was extended through December 3, 2010 after the President signed the Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2010 last week.
In 2009, Arcuri voted to pass H.R. 2346, the War Supplemental Appropriations Act which established RSLSP. 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. The Defense Department estimates that while 145,400 troops are eligible, only 58,000 claims have been paid out so far.
Stop loss allows the military to extend service members beyond their end-of-term of service dates. The program has been used extensively since 9-11 to maintain personnel strength in deploying units. The program allows the military to extend service members whose end-of-term of service, retirement or end-of-service obligation date falls during a deployment. They may be involuntarily extended until the end of their unit's deployment. The Army and Marine Corps used the policy the most.
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