I want to share some good news for Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill— VA has automated the payment of benefits for nearly half of the Veterans participating in the Post-9/11 GI Bill education program. As a result, the average days to process Post-9/11 GI Bill supplemental claims decreased by 16 days, from 23 days in September 2012 to eight days in January 2013.

During the month of January, 44 percent of the nearly 341,000 incoming documents for enrolled students were fully automated, and an additional 36 percent were partially automated. For returning students starting a new semester of classes, processing is taking an average of 5.9 days to complete. For new students using the benefit for the first time, the average time to establish eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is around 30 days.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a comprehensive education benefit that was created by Congress in 2008 and has been administered by VA since 2009. Over the past three and one-half years, VA has provided more than $25.9 billion in Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to over 911,000 Veterans, Service members, and their families, and to the universities, colleges, and trade schools they attend. For more information on VA education benefits go to http://www.gibill.va.gov/.

Click here for the recent VA blog on this topic.

Have a safe and enjoyable long weekend.

V/R

Curtis L. Coy
Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity
Veterans Benefits Administration
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
1800 G Street, NW, Suite 510 – Mail Stop 20E
Washington, DC 20420