U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Praises VA For Changing The Way Veterans Can Apply For Educational Benefits
Press Release
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Praises VA For Changing The Way Veterans Can Apply For Educational Benefits
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today praised the Department of Veterans Affairs for quickly changing a policy that would have required Arizona veterans to travel to Phoenix to collect emergency education benefits.
"The Department of Veterans Affairs did the right thing," said Giffords, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. "It now will be easier for veterans in southern and rural Arizona to apply for the education benefits they deserve."
The requirement that veterans drive to Phoenix to collect benefits made available under the new GI Bill was criticized by Giffords on Monday. On Wednesday, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced that veterans will be able to apply online for the payments or request transportation to the nearest benefits office.
To facilitate the online application process, Giffords said any veteran attending college in Arizona is welcome to use the computers at her Tucson and Sierra Vista District offices. The Tucson office is located at 1661 N. Swan, Suite 112, and the Sierra Vista office is located at 77 Calle Portal, Suite B-160. Computers also are available at public libraries.
There are more than 3,400 veterans at four Southeastern Arizona colleges certified under the GI Bill. Pima Community College has the most, with more than 2,400 eligible veterans. The remainder attend the University of Arizona, UA South and Cochise Community College.
It is estimated that only 75 of these veterans -- approximately 2 percent -- have received their benefits.
The delays in the distribution of benefits forced veterans across the nation to take out loans, put off buying textbooks or dig into savings. The new GI Bill took effect last month and provides money to cover the costs of attending college for veterans who served in the military after September 11, 2001.
Shinseki announced last week that emergency payments of up to $3,000 would be made available beginning Friday, Oct. 2. But the checks would have been distributed only at 57 VA regional benefits offices across the country. The only such center in Arizona is in Phoenix.
Starting on October 2, Veterans can apply for emergency education funding online at www.va.gov. To request transportation on a first come first served basis, veterans in Southern Arizona can call the Veterans Medical Center in Tucson at 520-629-1819.
Source