Deadline to Apply for Stop Loss Special Pay Extended to December 18

Statement

Dear Friend,

In October of 2009, the Department of Defense announced that special payments would be available to U.S. servicemembers who had their enlistments extended or retirement suspended between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 under Stop Loss orders. Congress established this important compensation in the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act, and I want to make sure that everyone eligible is aware of it.

Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay is available to servicemembers from every branch of the military, and the payment is $500 per month served due to stop loss. The original deadline to apply for these benefits was October 21, 2010. However, the Department of Defense has since announced a number of deadline extensions, and the current deadline to apply is now December 18.

To apply for benefits, or for more information, including submission requirements and service-specific links, go to http://www.defense.gov/stoploss. Servicemembers must provide documented proof they were stop lossed with their claim. Family members of deceased servicemembers should contact the appropriate military service for assistance in filing their claim.

Our military personnel have earned this payment by serving beyond their stated commitment in very trying conditions. I encourage those who think they may qualify for this compensation to find out for certain -- this is critical assistance to our men and women in uniform who have remained on active duty longer than planned.

As always, please do not hesitate to let me know whenever I can be of assistance.
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Sincerely,

Jerry F. Costello
12th District of Illinois

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