PERLMUTTER ANNOUNCES DETAILS ON VETERANS EDUCATION PAYMENTS
October 1, 2009
Today, Rep. Ed Perlmutter praised the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for quickly responding to the needs of our student veterans by providing emergency checks under the new G.I. Bill. Thousands of veterans who applied for educational benefits under the program have not yet received their payments due to delayed processing and bureaucracy. These emergency checks will help veterans make payments towards books and housing. Last year, Congress passed the Post-9/11 GI Bill to fully fund a four-year college education for any veteran serving after September 11, 2001.
“Fulfilling the promise we made to our veterans is the least we can do to repay the sacrifices they made,” Perlmutter said. “By providing these emergency loans, we are making sure our veterans can focus on their education and not their pocketbook. I hope that and veterans in the 7th Congressional District will take advantage of this program.”
The checks for up to $3,000 will be distributed to eligible students at VA regional offices across the country starting this Friday, October 2. In the Denver-metro area, Veterans can visit or call their local benefits office at: (303)-914-2680 / 155 Van Gordon St. in Lakewood, CO 80228 .
Students will need to bring a photo ID, a course schedule and a certificate of eligibility to request payment of their housing and book allowance. Students can also apply online at www.va.gov or request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest VA regional office. To obtain this service, veterans should call their nearest VA medical center and ask for the “Volunteer Transportation Coordinator.”
The distributed money will be deducted from future payments, which are expected to arrive on the normal schedule – the beginning of the month following the period for which they are being reimbursed. Veterans who apply for the emergency benefits online will receive their payments in the mail after processing.
