UPDATE – Stop Loss Claim Deadline Extended. The deadline to claim Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay has been extended to October 21, 2011. See Stop Loss Pay Deadline Extension announcement for more details.
Time is running out for servicemembers eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP). Eligible recipients must submit an application for benefits by October 21, 2011 or miss out on the opportunity to receive benefits. Established by the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act, RSLSP pays $500 per month or partial month that has been served in stop loss status.
Military Stop Loss Benefits Ending Soon
Who is Eligible for Military Stop Loss Benefits?
To be eligible for stop loss benefits you must be a servicemember, veteran or beneficiary of a servicemember who had their service involuntarily extended between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 due to Stop Loss.
How to apply for military stop loss benefits
In order to receive Stop Loss benefits, eligible parties must submit a claim. Benefits will not be automatically distributed, therefore this important step is crucial to ensure you receive this special pay. The average benefit for eligible servicemembers is $3,700 but your actual claim will be determined by the amount of time you were required to remain on active duty.
When can you submit a claim?
Applications for benefits have been submitted since October 21, 2009 and will end on October 21, 2011. Applications submitted and received after the December 3 deadline are under no authorization to be paid.
How to submit a stop loss claim
To submit a claim for Stop Loss benefits, eligible servicemembers must print, complete and sign the following Stop Loss claim form: Department of Defense Form 2944, Claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Payment and submit it by October 21, 2011.
After the application is complete, it will be necessary to select a method of submitting the form as well as supporting documents. Servicemembers can learn more about submitting a claim based on service specifications at your service’s Stop Loss website. You may be required to provide the following documents based on specific status and service.
- Personnel record- Enlistment or reenlistment documents which state the original expiration date of service.
- Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and/or Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
- Orders which establish retirement before the actual date of retirement as stated in DD Form 214 or DD Form 215.
- Approved orders for resignation or transition which establish a separation date earlier than the actual date of separation as stated on DD Form 214 or DD Form 215.
- Documentation from individual’s chain of command corroborating separation or deployment.
- Revocation of separation or retirement orders.
Combat Zone Tax Exclusion
If a servicemember served in an area that is combat zone tax excluded during Stop Loss special pay, RSLSP will apply. Consult the DoD Financial Management Regulation, Volume 7A, chapter 44, paragraph 440103A for a complete list of combat zones. This information can also be accessed here.
In conclusion, over $127 million in special pay has already been paid out to 30,000 servicemembers from different branches of the military. It is estimated that there may be thousands of additional servicemembers who are eligible that have not yet submitted a claim. These individuals are encouraged to submit an application for benefits before the deadline to ensure approval of this special pay. Please note that stop-lossed servicemembers who voluntarily extended their service or reenlisted and received a bonus already will not be eligible for RSLSP.
Comments
where do i summit my stop loss wages form to? there is no address and i only have till october of this yr to do it..please contact me asap..thank you!
David, the address is listed on the pdf of the application form, near the top of page 2. Hope that helps, and thanks for your service!
Sir I received a letter informing me of my eligaibility for stoploss pay and using the pin# that I was assigned I filled out the form online. At the bottom of the page I clicked the wrong button, I believe it said that I choose to question the amount.As I said before I clicked the wrong button by mistake and I wanted to submit my application for stop loss pay. Since this time I have lost my pin #. Would you please tell me how to resubmitt. Thank you very much. MSG Hugh H. Hood
Msgt Hood, you will need to visit the Army stop-loss site for more information. best of luck, and thanks for your service!
I have tried to fill out the RSLSP for online but it will not except my dates because it was in 2009 is there a way to do this online or should i just do paper copies
SSg Reagan, The website should feature a tracking number so you can stay up to date on the claims process, so it’s probably better to go that route if possible. Try contacting your respective service to see if there are known issues with the site and if they have an anticipated fix date. I would go for the paper copies if you can’t get the online version to work. Btw, the DoD just extended the deadline until December 3; I will publish an update this week. Here is the official notice: http://www.defense.gov/stoploss.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN; I have been trying to download the proper documents to file for my stoploss. I have been on madical hold / active duty under the CBWTU-AR and there isn’t a phone number to call to apply for this benifit. So if you could please send me the information i desire. Thank you and good bless. Decembe 2, 2010 Garret K. Tookes SFC.
Thank you all for serving our country.