Rep. Johnson announces retroactive pay deadline for soldiers affected by stop loss

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) echoed President Obama’s announcement that service members whose service was extended under stop loss orders in Iraq and Afghanistan have until October 21, 2010, to apply for retroactive pay.

Troops eligible for retroactive pay will receive $500 a month for each month their service was extended. The Defense Department estimates that while 145,400 troops are eligible and only 58,000 claims have been paid out thus far.

“We owe it to our brave men and women who serve this country to ensure they receive all the funds to which they are entitled,” said Rep. Johnson.

“In 2009, we passed legislation to compensate our service members for tours that were involuntarily extended in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the deadline fast approaching, I urge all eligible troops to submit their claims so that they can receive the retroactive pay they earned through their service. Working with our local veterans organizations, I want to make sure that all eligible service members here in Georgia get the benefits they have earned.”

In 2009, Rep. Johnson voted to pass HR 2346, the War Supplemental Appropriations Act, which established retroactive stop loss special pay (RSLSP). This allows troops whose service was involuntarily extended between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 to file claims in order to receive retroactive pay if eligible. The deadline for submissions is October 21, 2010. The average benefit is $3,800.

For more information or to submit a claim, please visit www.defense.gov/stoploss.

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