JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
In late 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs authorized emergency advanced payments of $3000 to veterans who had not received education benefits during the 2009 fall semester. Some payments were erroneously made to Airmen on Active Duty and some dependents receiving transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Airmen and their dependents are ineligible for the emergency payments and must be advised not to apply for the payments. Airmen who received payments of the $3000 should not cash checks or deposit them in bank accounts. Nor should they return the checks to the DVA at this time.
The DVA will soon send letters to these Airmen and provide an address for returning the un-cashed checks. Letters will also be sent to those Airmen who already cashed or deposited the checks. These letters will provide contact information for the DVA's department management center so Airmen can make repayment arrangements.
Airmen having questions regarding emergency payments are to be referred to the DVA Web site
www.va.gov or the call center 888-442-4551. Advanced payment is also available at
www.gibill.va.gov/advpayqa.htm.