Stop-loss deadline approaching
Sgt. Maj. Garrett Luplow (left), of Buffalo, N.Y., and Master Sgt. Jeff Helmes, of Denver, discuss Stop Loss Special Pay at the 1st Cavalry Division Retention Office. Servicemembers who were “stop lossed” following Sept. 11, 2001, have until Oct. 21 to apply for bonus payments. Photo by Sgt. Jon Soles, MND-B PAO, U.S. Army

Stop-loss deadline approaching

Servicemembers, veterans and retirees who think they may be eligible for retroactive stop-loss payments have until Oct. 21 to apply for the special $500 per month entitlement authorized by Congress in 2009 as compensation for the controversial involuntary reenlistment policy. Military personnel and veterans who were “stop lossed” from Sept. 11, 2001, to Sept. 30, 2009, can receive the entitlement for each month or partial month their service was extended beyond their original active-duty obligation. Beneficiaries of affected troops also may be eligible for payment.

As the deadline nears, DoD is ramping up its efforts to locate all troops who are eligible for the retroactive compensation. The department is actively seeking out individuals who were “stop lossed” and asks that all current servicemembers and veterans spread the word of the looming deadline date among their ranks. Individuals who voluntarily reenlisted or extended their service and received a bonus for it are no longer eligible to receive the retroactive payments.

The compensation is paid in a lump sum for the months served in stop-loss status. The average total benefit is $3,700.

To apply for the retroactive payments, click here.