Comments on: Unresolved, the Post-9/11 GI Bill saga (Updated, x3. Scroll down – issue resolved!) http://blog.ajmartinez.com/2009/12/10/unresolved-the-post-911-gi-bill-saga/ my life, my thoughts, my world. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:01:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Amerie http://blog.ajmartinez.com/2009/12/10/unresolved-the-post-911-gi-bill-saga/comment-page-1/#comment-4382 Amerie Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:14:09 +0000 http://blog.ajmartinez.com/?p=667#comment-4382 I am in the same boat.the va gave me 70% when I am entitled to 80%.After 5 months the VA finally corrected this problem.But check this out instead of the sending the the school the 10% difference they sent the school another payment at 80%.They also sent me another book stipend at 80%.After arguing with the school and the VA and he school about who was at fault the school decided that they were going to mail the money back to the VA.Im like SERIOUSLY who uses the mail system .Im like cant you do it electronically.So to make a lond story short I am 900+ in debt according to the va and I cant get my December or January BAH until they get this money back from the school.OH and I forgot to add that the VA has yet to pay me the back BAH that I am owed.The still owe me the 10% difference.They are saying that it could take up to6-8 weeks to fix this.It has already been almost a month.I made an inquiry to the va but I have yet to hear back I called they VA and they said that it takes 4-6weeks to ger a response. Oh I forgot to add that the VA sent me a letter stating that they took away 500+ dollars in debt away but I still owe 2500 dollars.Im like Oh hell no!! I couldnt wait until monday to call and find out what was going on.Well apparently the VA created a new accout for me which made it seem like my tution and BAH that they sent me at 70% was a debt.But they failed to tell me this.The Customer service rep said that they sent the letter out by mistake so now I have to set and wait I honestly dont think that I will get my money until February or March.No one at the VA can tell me how long its going to take to process it I am in the same boat.the va gave me 70% when I am entitled to 80%.After 5 months the VA finally corrected this problem.But check this out instead of the sending the the school the 10% difference they sent the school another payment at 80%.They also sent me another book stipend at 80%.After arguing with the school and the VA and he school about who was at fault the school decided that they were going to mail the money back to the VA.Im like SERIOUSLY who uses the mail system .Im like cant you do it electronically.So to make a lond story short I am 900+ in debt according to the va and I cant get my December or January BAH until they get this money back from the school.OH and I forgot to add that the VA has yet to pay me the back BAH that I am owed.The still owe me the 10% difference.They are saying that it could take up to6-8 weeks to fix this.It has already been almost a month.I made an inquiry to the va but I have yet to hear back I called they VA and they said that it takes 4-6weeks to ger a response.

Oh I forgot to add that the VA sent me a letter stating that they took away 500+ dollars in debt away but I still owe 2500 dollars.Im like Oh hell no!! I couldnt wait until monday to call and find out what was going on.Well apparently the VA created a new accout for me which made it seem like my tution and BAH that they sent me at 70% was a debt.But they failed to tell me this.The Customer service rep said that they sent the letter out by mistake so now I have to set and wait I honestly dont think that I will get my money until February or March.No one at the VA can tell me how long its going to take to process it

]]> By: Anthony http://blog.ajmartinez.com/2009/12/10/unresolved-the-post-911-gi-bill-saga/comment-page-1/#comment-4132 Anthony Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:59:41 +0000 http://blog.ajmartinez.com/?p=667#comment-4132 Yeah, they'll definitely take back overpayments. They just don't know how they're going to do it yet. My school payments showed up about 11 days after the BAH hit my account. One time I actually did get ahold of someone w/ the GI Bill number. Only once though. Yeah, they’ll definitely take back overpayments. They just don’t know how they’re going to do it yet. My school payments showed up about 11 days after the BAH hit my account. One time I actually did get ahold of someone w/ the GI Bill number. Only once though.

]]> By: shane http://blog.ajmartinez.com/2009/12/10/unresolved-the-post-911-gi-bill-saga/comment-page-1/#comment-4128 shane Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:40:31 +0000 http://blog.ajmartinez.com/?p=667#comment-4128 The VA just direct deposited me a large sum of money. I would say somewhere around what I would expect for a full semester going full time. I took the advance payment in October and was informed that I would still receive December housing allowance and my tuition would be paid. My school still hasnt been paid tuition and the direct deposit I got at the end of December is way more than 1 housing allowance. I figure I'll just sit on it and try to contact the VA which many of you know is useless. What amazes me is that their telephone lines are not even set up to where you can even stay on hold, and your call be answered in the place it was recieved. They actually hang up on you. I found this amazing. I mean really? It makes me think it's a scam or something. I mean has anyone ever got a hold of anybody using the Gi Bill eductaion number? Best of luck to everyone who is suffering from this, be careful what you spend that the VA gives you. I find it very hard to trust anything they give you without some verbal conformation. The VA just direct deposited me a large sum of money. I would say somewhere around what I would expect for a full semester going full time. I took the advance payment in October and was informed that I would still receive December housing allowance and my tuition would be paid. My school still hasnt been paid tuition and the direct deposit I got at the end of December is way more than 1 housing allowance. I figure I’ll just sit on it and try to contact the VA which many of you know is useless. What amazes me is that their telephone lines are not even set up to where you can even stay on hold, and your call be answered in the place it was recieved. They actually hang up on you. I found this amazing. I mean really? It makes me think it’s a scam or something. I mean has anyone ever got a hold of anybody using the Gi Bill eductaion number?

Best of luck to everyone who is suffering from this, be careful what you spend that the VA gives you. I find it very hard to trust anything they give you without some verbal conformation.

]]> By: Anthony http://blog.ajmartinez.com/2009/12/10/unresolved-the-post-911-gi-bill-saga/comment-page-1/#comment-4000 Anthony Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:35:17 +0000 http://blog.ajmartinez.com/?p=667#comment-4000 That is absolutely unacceptable. Contact your district representative, and file an official congressional inquiry. Your congressperson will have an office that deals with veteran issues, and these people are generally quite committed to getting us veterans what we are owed. If you have not yet contacted their office, do it as soon as you possibly can. There may be resolution in my case, at least with regards to the $1000 underpayment for fees, but it took fighting tooth and nail to get it. Do not give up, and do not let up. That is absolutely unacceptable. Contact your district representative, and file an official congressional inquiry. Your congressperson will have an office that deals with veteran issues, and these people are generally quite committed to getting us veterans what we are owed. If you have not yet contacted their office, do it as soon as you possibly can. There may be resolution in my case, at least with regards to the $1000 underpayment for fees, but it took fighting tooth and nail to get it. Do not give up, and do not let up.

]]> By: mrs rice http://blog.ajmartinez.com/2009/12/10/unresolved-the-post-911-gi-bill-saga/comment-page-1/#comment-3995 mrs rice Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:30:41 +0000 http://blog.ajmartinez.com/?p=667#comment-3995 My hubby applied for the new gi bill in aug and the only payment we've received is the emergency payment.he constantly calls and they keep giving him the run around,like one week the moneys gonna be deposited (yes they gave a specific date!) and then the next day (really,he called the next day!!) they have no idea why someone would have told him that because now there's a error with his paper work that has to be corrected manually.their screwing us over and no one seems to know how to what the hell their talking about.we had no xmas and are bills are mounting,so much for serving your country huh.. My hubby applied for the new gi bill in aug and the only payment we’ve received is the emergency payment.he constantly calls and they keep giving him the run around,like one week the moneys gonna be deposited (yes they gave a specific date!) and then the next day (really,he called the next day!!) they have no idea why someone would have told him that because now there’s a error with his paper work that has to be corrected manually.their screwing us over and no one seems to know how to what the hell their talking about.we had no xmas and are bills are mounting,so much for serving your country huh..

]]> By: Anthony http://blog.ajmartinez.com/2009/12/10/unresolved-the-post-911-gi-bill-saga/comment-page-1/#comment-3982 Anthony Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:12:02 +0000 http://blog.ajmartinez.com/?p=667#comment-3982 Given the alternative of a near-certain trip to prison, I'm not sure it is such a bad deal for the under-educated, or impoverished, to join the service. Many of them never get out, and there is nothing wrong with that. Many of them leave far better citizens than they were before they went in, also not a bad thing if you ask me. The vast majority of our citizenry is woefully derelict in its duties as citizens. A deafening and unquestioned pro-military voice? You have absolutely got to be joking, the anti-military voice in this country is quite loud. I have no problem with either voice; I did, after all, swear to defend the Constitution. If you are saying education needs to be fixed in America, I can hardly disagree. If you are saying our military ought to be used as outlined in the document I referenced earlier, I am again in complete agreement. To state that the grunts are completely unaware of the pitfalls is just plain false. Everyone knows that recruiters are full of fecal matter. Everyone. You become more aware of the falsities just sitting in a MEPS. If you follow through, and sign the dotted line, you know what you are getting in to. If you make it out honorably, you know what to expect. None of this means you have to tolerate it, stay quiet, and enjoy the shafting Uncle Sam gives you. My blog is evidence enough of this. Remember, the brass is accountable to Congress and they are accountable to the people. If it is not a problem to the Pentagon, it is because of the failures of our citizens. Given the alternative of a near-certain trip to prison, I’m not sure it is such a bad deal for the under-educated, or impoverished, to join the service. Many of them never get out, and there is nothing wrong with that. Many of them leave far better citizens than they were before they went in, also not a bad thing if you ask me. The vast majority of our citizenry is woefully derelict in its duties as citizens. A deafening and unquestioned pro-military voice? You have absolutely got to be joking, the anti-military voice in this country is quite loud. I have no problem with either voice; I did, after all, swear to defend the Constitution.

If you are saying education needs to be fixed in America, I can hardly disagree. If you are saying our military ought to be used as outlined in the document I referenced earlier, I am again in complete agreement.

To state that the grunts are completely unaware of the pitfalls is just plain false. Everyone knows that recruiters are full of fecal matter. Everyone. You become more aware of the falsities just sitting in a MEPS. If you follow through, and sign the dotted line, you know what you are getting in to. If you make it out honorably, you know what to expect. None of this means you have to tolerate it, stay quiet, and enjoy the shafting Uncle Sam gives you. My blog is evidence enough of this. Remember, the brass is accountable to Congress and they are accountable to the people. If it is not a problem to the Pentagon, it is because of the failures of our citizens.

]]> By: CAMMMO http://blog.ajmartinez.com/2009/12/10/unresolved-the-post-911-gi-bill-saga/comment-page-1/#comment-3954 CAMMMO Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:53:56 +0000 http://blog.ajmartinez.com/?p=667#comment-3954 The only way that these types of broken promises will end is through Soldiers starting to plead their cases to the undereducated and impoverished youth currently being recruited into the U.S. military. As long as the pro-military voice is so deafening and unquestioned in America, the brass has no need to fulfill promises to grunts. Those grunts will soon be replaced with new grunts who are completely unaware of the pitfalls and deceit. When it comes to fixing broken systems- if it doesn't hurt recruiting, its not a problem to the Pentagon. The only way that these types of broken promises will end is through Soldiers starting to plead their cases to the undereducated and impoverished youth currently being recruited into the U.S. military. As long as the pro-military voice is so deafening and unquestioned in America, the brass has no need to fulfill promises to grunts. Those grunts will soon be replaced with new grunts who are completely unaware of the pitfalls and deceit. When it comes to fixing broken systems- if it doesn’t hurt recruiting, its not a problem to the Pentagon.

]]> By: Wy http://blog.ajmartinez.com/2009/12/10/unresolved-the-post-911-gi-bill-saga/comment-page-1/#comment-3951 Wy Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:53:31 +0000 http://blog.ajmartinez.com/?p=667#comment-3951 The wheels, slowly they grind. Thanks for beta testing. Hopefully they'll have it and yellow ribbon sorted out by the time I ETS. The wheels, slowly they grind.

Thanks for beta testing. Hopefully they’ll have it and yellow ribbon sorted out by the time I ETS.

]]> By: Anthony http://blog.ajmartinez.com/2009/12/10/unresolved-the-post-911-gi-bill-saga/comment-page-1/#comment-3944 Anthony Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:11:45 +0000 http://blog.ajmartinez.com/?p=667#comment-3944 Calling it a Charlie Foxtrot really is being too kind. Far too kind. The new year is rapidly approaching, I cannot (unsurprisingly) get anyone on the phone, and I am still sitting in a $1000 hole with my fees from last semester. The matter of overpayment is not something I am happy about either. No real idea what I am going to do about all of that. Calling it a Charlie Foxtrot really is being too kind. Far too kind. The new year is rapidly approaching, I cannot (unsurprisingly) get anyone on the phone, and I am still sitting in a $1000 hole with my fees from last semester. The matter of overpayment is not something I am happy about either. No real idea what I am going to do about all of that.

]]> By: Justin http://blog.ajmartinez.com/2009/12/10/unresolved-the-post-911-gi-bill-saga/comment-page-1/#comment-3896 Justin Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:37:08 +0000 http://blog.ajmartinez.com/?p=667#comment-3896 I just wanted to piggyback on the advance payment frustration. I'm in the same situation were I received an advance payment and still have yet to have the money recouped. I found a phone number on the VA website via link entitled "If You Owe the VA Money", gave them a call and before I gave any of my information (name, SSN, etc) I was told verbatim "I don't know how much you owe or when they are going to have to pay it back if you if you haven't been billed" and then was given a phone number to call that works Monday - Wednesday. Of course I am sitting on this money and waiting for the VA to catch up with me and I am just PRAYING that when my classes start next month my payments will follow. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a large reason why I COULD separate from the military and it's in the toilet although I can’t say I wasn’t expecting or surprised by this. Definitely appreciate the info about the VA at least acknowledging they haven’t recouped any of the advance payments sent out, I can seem to find any info any were else. Just glad to see Operation Charlie Foxtrot is in full swing at the VA as usual. I just wanted to piggyback on the advance payment frustration. I’m in the same situation were I received an advance payment and still have yet to have the money recouped. I found a phone number on the VA website via link entitled “If You Owe the VA Money”, gave them a call and before I gave any of my information (name, SSN, etc) I was told verbatim “I don’t know how much you owe or when they are going to have to pay it back if you if you haven’t been billed” and then was given a phone number to call that works Monday – Wednesday. Of course I am sitting on this money and waiting for the VA to catch up with me and I am just PRAYING that when my classes start next month my payments will follow. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a large reason why I COULD separate from the military and it’s in the toilet although I can’t say I wasn’t expecting or surprised by this. Definitely appreciate the info about the VA at least acknowledging they haven’t recouped any of the advance payments sent out, I can seem to find any info any were else. Just glad to see Operation Charlie Foxtrot is in full swing at the VA as usual.

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