Additional $500 Monthly Benefit Now In Effect

Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) announced that special payments are now available to over 185,000 service members who have had their enlistments involuntary extended since September 11, 2001, providing $500 for every month they were held under stop-loss orders.  Congress established this payment in the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act enacted this summer.  

“As a veteran myself, I understand the sacrifices our brave service men and women have made to keep us safe,” said Rep. Baca.  “These brave individuals serve America with honor and they deserve the best we have to offer.  This additional monthly payment will help those service members, and their families, who have literally served above and beyond the call of duty.”  

The Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay is available to service members who had their enlistment extended or retirement suspended due to stop Loss between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009.  Service members from every branch of the military will receive compensation. 

All applications for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay must be submitted to the respective services no later than October 21, 2010.  Service members must provide documented proof they were Stop Lossed with their claim.  Family members of deceased service members should contact the appropriate military service for assistance in filing their claim.  Online information and applications for the new benefits can be found at the following locations:

• Army: https://www.stoplosspay.army.mil
• Navy: send e-mail to – NXAG_N132C@navy.mil
• Marine Corps: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/stoploss
• Air Force: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss

“America has a solemn commitment to care for our nation’s veterans,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “With the enactment of a New GI Bill, progress in improving veterans’ hospitals and facilities, and new stop loss benefits for soldiers who have already gone the extra mile, we are working to ensure the sacrifices made by so many in our Armed Forces are properly honored.”

Rep. Baca is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with both the 101st and the 82nd Airborne Divisions from 1966-68.