Technical difficulties are preventing veterans from receiving their GI Bill tuition and housing benefit payments, according to a report.
NBC News reported Monday that tens of thousands of veterans have been affected by a backlog caused by technological glitches experienced after the Forever GI Bill last year was signed into law. The legislation created greater access to federal assistance, but based support on the ZIP code of the veteran’s school rather then where they live.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Information Technology reported issues while testing its online system and told schools to not begin enrolling students until July. when it was expected to resolve a contract dispute to address the problems, according to NBC News. Colleges and universities were then advised by the VA that they needed to re-submit certifying information for their veteran students, compounding the department’s logjam.
Almost 83,000 veterans still had pending education-related claims as of Nov. 8, and it was unclear whether a fix would be found by the time new veterans start enrolling for upcoming academic semesters, a VA spokeswoman told the Washington Examiner.
“Sections 107 and 501 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act change the way VA pays monthly housing stipends for GI Bill recipients,” the representative wrote in an emailed statement responding to NBC News’ story. “These changes have led to processing issues, and VA is committed to providing a solution that is reliable, efficient and effective. ”
“VA education benefit claims processing employees have been working mandatory overtime since Aug. 1, and VA has augmented its processing workforce by 202 people to help reduce processing times,” she said.
The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is scheduled to hold a hearing Wednesday to investigate the delays.
