Pingree Praises Signing of Law Expanding GI Bill Benefits to More Veterans

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today praised the signing of the Forever GI Bill, which expands educational assistance benefits to veterans who had been denied because of technicalities. The legislation is similar to a bill she has introduced, the Chris Kotch Act, named for a disabled Maine veteran who was denied his full GI benefits because of a loophole.

"It's terrible to hear stories of veterans, like Chris Kotch, who made incredible sacrifices for our country, but can't receive the full GI Bill benefit they've earned because of technicalities. The Forever GI Bill is a big step in the right direction in making Purple Heart recipients like Chris eligible," said Pingree. "I'm so grateful that many more veterans will finally receive the full benefits they have earned, but we must continue working to ensure that no obstacles are left to stand in their way." "It was a pretty discouraging and degrading experience to have to fight for a benefit that should have been a given; to call agency after agency only to be told that there was nothing they could do. The issue didn't stop me from pursuing my education, but it did mean that I had to take out loans when I shouldn't have had to," said Kotch, who recently graduated with a master's in social work. "I appreciate that veterans in my kind of situation will no longer have to fight for their education."

Currently, to be eligible for full GI Bill benefits--which cover in-state tuition, a housing allowance, and stipend--a veteran must have had at least 3 years of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, or were discharged for a service-connected disability after at least 30 days. Service members who were on active duty for at least 90 days but less than 3 years are eligible for reduced benefits.

The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also called the Forever GI Bill, made a change to allow those who have been awarded the Purple Heart for service occurring on or after September 11, 2001, to access the Post-9/11 GI Bill Educational Assistance Program. Pingree cosponsored a bill introduced by Representative Scott Peters to make this change, which was included in the final bill.

As a recipient of the Purple Heart, Kotch would now be eligible for the full benefit.

Since hearing the Brunswick native's story in 2013, Pingree has worked tirelessly on the issue.

A member of the Army Reserve, Kotch served on active duty for five months in Iraq before being seriously injured by an IED in 2003. He was sent to Walter Reed Hospital but was not officially discharged until he reported back to his Reserve unit. While Kotch was medically retired as a result of his combat injuries--which should have made him eligible for the full benefit--his discharge paperwork says he simply finished his active duty obligation.

Because of that wording--because Kotch was temporarily transferred from active duty service back to the Reserves before being discharged--the Department of Veterans Affairs said Kotch wasn't eligible for the full benefit and instead would only receive a portion.

The bill Pingree introduced in the previous two Congresses would have changed the language to ensure that anyone medically separated or medically retired from the Armed Forces would be eligible for the full benefit.

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