GI Bill backlog climbs as new semester looms

[unhappycamper]

Staff Sgt. Brett Rezewski, 92nd Mission Support Squadron personnel technician, browses through brochures for Park University at an education fair at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. A key lawmaker says the Post-9/11 GI Bill could be headed for another claims backlog for the spring semester.


GI Bill backlog climbs as new semester looms
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jan 5, 2010 18:09:56 EST

With the latest numbers showing a still-rising backlog for Post-9/11 GI Bill claims, a key lawmaker says he doesn’t think the Veterans Affairs Department is ready for a flood of new claims for the spring semester.

Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee’s oversight and investigations panel, said he is “disappointed” with VA’s performance in the fall semester, which left 26,000 people still waiting for benefits when classes ended.

VA officials said most of those 26,000 veterans have now been paid. But VA’s Jan. 4 report on pending benefits claims shows that more than 48,000 Post-9/11 GI Bill claims are still being processed. Some of those could be for the spring semester.

“With a second semester only weeks away, I believe the situation remains unacceptable,” Mitchell said in a letter to VA, in which he noted he continues to get complaints about long waits.

“The confusion and uncertainty about when checks will arrive, coupled with the need to meet immediate expenses, is adding stress to veterans at a time when many are already struggling with ,” Mitchell said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/01/military_gibill_springdelays_010510w/