Program Success October 2009 | Page 35

CONGRESSWOMAN BROWN PRAISES VA
FOR ISSUING EMERGENCY CHECKS TO VETERANS AWAITING COLLEGE BENEFITS
PROGRAM SUCCESS – OCTOBER 2009 PAGE 35

CORRINE ’ S CORNER

CONGRESSWOMAN BROWN PRAISES VA
GongresswomanCor rine Brown Veterans College Benefits Orlando , Florida October 2009
Encourages Eligible Constituents to Sign Up for Benefits This Friday
( Washington , DC ) Congresswoman Corrine Brown , the second highest ranking Member on the House Veterans ’ Affairs committee , praised the U . S . Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA ) for quickly responding to the needs of our student veterans by providing emergency checks under the new Post 9 / 11 G . I . Bill . Thousands of veterans who applied for educational benefits under the program have not yet received their payments due to delayed processing and bureaucracy .
“ These emergency checks will help the student veterans make payments towards books and housing . It is extremely important for each and every university , college and community college in the state of Florida and around the nation to identify students who are veterans and immediately get their information sent over to the Veterans ’ Affairs administration .”
The Congresswoman met with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs , the Honorable Eric K . Shinseki , to discuss the importance of resolving this issue . “ No veteran should have to dip into their savings or postpone buying books for class because of outdated technology and backed-up claims ,” said Congresswoman Brown . “ I ’ m very glad that the VA has acted swiftly to remedy this problem and to ensure that our brave veterans have the resources they need to take full advantage of the new G . I . Bill college benefits they were promised . I hope that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in the third district will take full advantage of this program .”
The emergency checks are an advance on each student ’ s education benefits , and the amount will be deducted
FOR ISSUING EMERGENCY CHECKS TO VETERANS AWAITING COLLEGE BENEFITS
By Congresswoman Corrine
from future benefits payments . Checks will be written at the regional offices for Veterans who bring a photo ID and evidence of their enrollment . VA officials emphasize that $ 3,000 is the maximum payment , with many Veterans receiving smaller payments based upon their likely monthly education benefits . The distributed money will be deducted from future payments , which are expected to arrive on the normal schedule – the beginning of the month following the period for which they are being reimbursed . Veterans who apply for the emergency benefits online will receive their payments in the mail after processing .
A map and list of the participating VA regional benefits offices is available on the Internet at
http :// www2 . va . gov / directory / guide / division _ flsh . asp ? dnum = 3 . The most updated information regarding VA issuing emergency checks will be available at VA ’ s web site www . va . gov starting Oct . 1 .
“ I am very proud of the new G . I . Bill and the opportunities it offers to our brave veterans and their families , ensuring that they are part of our country ’ s economic recovery ,” said Congresswoman Brown . “ This Congress made a pledge to leave no veteran behind , and we are working hard to ensure that the men and women who sacrificed so much for our country get the very best care and the services and benefits they ’ ve earned in a timely manner .”
A list of regional VA offices is available at : www . vba . va . gov / VBA / benefits / offices . asp . The VA is also working with Veteran Services Organizations to send representatives to campuses with large veteran student bodies and to help students access the regional offices .