If your enlistment was involuntarily extended between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 due to Stop Loss authority, you may be entitled to Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP). The deadline for filing a RSLSP claim has been extended to October 21, 2011.
Eligibility and filing information is available online at Defenselink.
If you meet eligibility criteria, you must submit a claim to your service’s personnel headquarters by October 21, 2011, to be guaranteed payment. By law, there is no authorization to make payments on claims that are submitted after October 21, 2011.
Nearly $326 million has been paid to more than 90,000 Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force members to date. The military services estimate thousands more are eligible but haven’t yet filed claims.
Service members, veterans and beneficiaries of service members who were involuntarily extended on active duty by Stop Loss authority may be eligible for RSLSP. Check with your servicing personnel office to verify your own eligibility.
This benefit, authorized by the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act, entitles eligible service members or their dependents amounts to $500 for each month or partial month served in Stop Loss status. To receive payment, those who served under Stop Loss (or their beneficiary) must submit a claim as outlined on the DoD website. The average benefit so far is $3,600.
RSLSP is eligible for Combat Zone Tax Exclusion if the member was in a combat zone tax excluded area in a month that the Stop Loss Special Pay was earned. Combat zones are listed in the DoD Financial Management Regulation, Volume 7A (chapter 44, paragraph 440103A).
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