Deadline Looms for Military “Stop Loss” Pay

U.S. soldiers at an Afghanistan command outpost. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison

Members of the military who served additional duty after 9-11 due to “stop loss" are entitled to extra pay. But, a majority of those who qualify for the retroactive pay have yet to claim it and time is running out.

It’s estimated that almost 200,000 military service members were kept beyond their discharge date between Sept. 11, 3001 and September 2009. Last year, Congress appropriated retroactive pay of $500 a month for those caught by “stop loss.”

Tampa Congresswoman Kathy Castor said claims are averaging more than $3,000. However, only about one-third of those eligible have applied.

“I’m afraid that they’re not opening the mail from their former service or that they think it’s too good to be true, it’s a scam,” Castor said. “We want to spread the word that this is retroactive pay that they’re entitled to receive.”

Castor believes many military members don’t know about the extra $500 a month. And the deadline to file for retroactive stop loss pay is October 21, 2010. She favors extending the deadline, that’s not an option yet.