{"id":49177,"date":"2018-10-26T15:14:40","date_gmt":"2018-10-26T15:14:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/10\/26\/vfw-va-must-fix-forever-gi-bill-debacle\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:54:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:54:26","slug":"vfw-va-must-fix-forever-gi-bill-debacle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/2018\/10\/26\/vfw-va-must-fix-forever-gi-bill-debacle\/","title":{"rendered":"VFW: VA must fix Forever GI Bill debacle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s note: <\/b><\/i>The following commentary was contributed by VFW National Commander B.J. Lawrence. The content may be edited for clarity, style and length.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past few weeks, the VFW has heard directly from too many veterans who have yet to receive their tuition and housing payments<\/a> from the Department of Veterans Affairs for this fall semester, which student veterans rely on to pay rent and other living costs. Unfortunately, VA was not straightforward with student veterans affected by these financial hardships until the VFW called attention to it <\/a>earlier this month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

VA has been giving mixed messages regarding the solution to the problem, and student veterans are rightfully wondering when they will get paid. Some veterans have asked the VFW for help through our Unmet Needs emergency grant program<\/a>, but there\u2019s a more practical solution: Call the VA\u2019s GI Bill Helpline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veterans who are experiencing delayed payments need to call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551) and ask VA to process their education benefit claim immediately due to a financial hardship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

VA has assured us that these claims will be processed within the next business day and that student veterans can expect prompt payments of their benefits within five business days. If VA does not resolve this issue quickly, then I encourage veterans to then contact the VFW at 1studentveteran@vfw.org<\/a>, at which point the VFW\u2019s casework team has the authority to intervene on their behalf with VA Education Service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since VA instituted the process for claiming financial hardships, the VFW has seen expedited processing for the veterans who initially contacted us. As veterans\u2019 advocates, we highly encourage veterans and beneficiaries to stay on the line and tell VA they are experiencing a financial hardship. When faced with mounting bills, rent or mortgage payments, or childcare disenrollments, this process is well worth the effort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did we get here and what are we doing to prevent it from happening again? Last summer, Congress passed the Forever GI Bill with the goal of significantly improving veterans\u2019 education benefits. These changes required VA to make swift changes to its education benefit processing systems. Unfortunately, in late July, VA\u2019s new processing systems were not working properly. This prompted schools to hold onto GI Bill certifications longer than usual. Finally, VA encouraged schools to submit their certifications, opening the floodgates. <\/p>\n\n\n\t