'Stop Loss' Pay Deadline Extended to Dec. 3

UPDATE: "Stop Loss" pay deadline has been extended to Dec. 3, 2010.

If you served in the military between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 and your service was involuntarily extended, or your retirement was suspended due to "Stop Loss," you are eligible for special compensation.

This is not a gimmick or a scam. It's a real opportunity for our troops who have sacrificed so much. You can find out more about the program on the Defense Department's website here.

Under the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act, compensation is available to service members of every military branch who had their enlistment extended or retirement suspended due to "Stop Loss," a policy utilized during major conflicts to quickly retain and generate forces to surge. Eligible Service members will receive $500 for every month they were on active duty after their discharge date.

58,000 claims have already been paid out, with the average benefit being $3,800, and the Department of Defense estimates that more than 145,000 personnel are eligible.

I encourage the servicemen and women whose service was extended by ‘Stop Loss' to apply for retroactive pay benefits now. Our Active Duty, Reserve and Guard troops have shown great dedication by continuing to defend America during its time of need and they have earned this compensation.

If you think you might be eligible, you should contact your branch of the armed services here:

And if you're having trouble with an application, contact my office and a member of my staff will do their best to help.