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Vets may qualify for Post-9/11 benefits
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Veterans, this week let’s discuss the Post- 9/11 G.I. Bill. This is a relatively new education benefit program for veterans who served on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001. To be eligible, the veteran must serve at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, and be honorably discharged. Veterans may also be eligible if they were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability after serving 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001. Generally, veterans may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Eligibility for benefits expires 15 years from the last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. If released for a service-connected disability after at least 30 days of continuous service, eligibility ends 15 years from when the member is released for the service-connected disability. Based on the length of active duty service, eligible participants are entitled to receive a percentage of the following: Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education (paid directly to the school); monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as the primary school (paid directly to the veteran); yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year (paid directly to the veteran; and a one-time payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas. The housing allowance is not payable to those pursuing training at half time or less or to individuals enrolled solely in distance learning programs. If you served at least 36 months, or you served 30 continuous days and discharged due to service-connected disability, the maximum benefit is 100 percent; between 30 months and 36 months the maximum benefit is 90 percent; between 24 months and up to 30 months the maximum benefit is 80 percent; between 18 months and up to 24 months the maximum benefit is 70 percent; between 12 months and up to 18 months the maximum benefit is 60 percent; between six months and up to 12 months the maximum benefit is 50 percent; and finally, if you served at least 90 days and up to six months the maximum benefit is 40 percent. Again this is a brief summary. Call me for additional information or to set up an appointment at 541-962-8802. I am located at the Center for Human Development, 2301 Cove Ave, La Grande.
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