Veterans eligible for ‘stop loss’ pay must apply by Oct. 21

The White House advised veterans whose service in Iraq and Afghanistan was involuntarily extended during the Bush administration that they are eligible for back pay under legislation signed by President Obama last year. With the Oct. 21 deadline for applying fast approaching, nearly half of the 145,000 service men and women entitled to receive $500 for each month served under the “stop loss” policy have not applied for the retroactive pay. Service members, veterans or their beneficiaries of veterans whose service was involuntarily extended between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, are eligible. Visit the Defense Department’s website for more information.