Noteboom The Law Firm

Fixing the Post-9/11 GI Bill Could Cause More Problems

Sometimes the best intentions cause more problems, and that is likely what is going to happen with the next fix to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Steps taken to stop this summer's tuition payments from dropping for veterans attending private colleges will likely freeze all students' monthly living stipends and could delay fall payments as well.

Recently a $17,500 cap was placed on payments for tuition and fees for approximately 30,000 veterans attending private colleges. Currently before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, HR 1383 will stop those students' tuition and fee payments from being reduced this August in response to the cap.

The current proposal on how the VA will pay for this "fix" will require monthly living stipends for every student to be frozen for 2 years. Revisiting an earlier VA problem, these claims would have to be processed manually, which probably means fall semester GI Bill payments would be delayed.

Although the VA has a new automatic processing system for GI Bill claims, it cannot be changed in time to read specific rate requirements for specific private schools. Therefore, the VA must revert back to manual processing of GI Bill claims and just hope they don't run into the same problems they have had over the last couple of years.

Freezing living stipends against an increasing standard of living concerns many as it may prevent people from attending classes and therefore result in hardship. The VA suggested not making full tuition payments until Aug. 1, 2012 so as to recalibrate their automatic processing system.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.