GI Bill not paying housing allowance?

2022-11-14T10:58:19-05:00

I was deployed last year and returned home last July, then took my 28 days of leave through the month of August. I’m enrolled full time at school and applied my post 9/11 benefits to which my tuition and book allowance was paid. But because on paper my deployment orders ran up to Nov 3, the VA said I cannot receive housing allowance for the months of Aug, Sept, and Oct. because I was still on active duty orders, even though I wasn’t getting any paychecks after my leave ended. Does anyone know if that sounds correct? It seems entirely wrong to withhold housing payments just because your orders ran for 400 days.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Nov 14 at 2022 11:03 AM

2022-11-14T11:03:34-05:00

Check with your school's veterans counselor. Situation may depend on date that terminal leave ended along with percentage of benefit that you are entitled to for GI Bill.

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 14 at 2022 11:21 AM

2022-11-14T11:21:40-05:00

You were on active duty orders but not being paid? Something's not adding up.

If you had your orders curtailed, then you should have an amendment to those orders showing your new REFRAD date (or a new set of orders which superseded the old orders). If you were on valid active duty orders still, then your lack of pay is something you need to handle though finance channels.

The VA is likely going off of your original orders. If you have any changes, make sure you get it to them.

Their view is a very binary one. If you're on active duty, no housing. If you aren't on active duty, housing allowance authorized (if at at least 50% part-time or greater).

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2022 11:23 AM

2022-11-14T11:23:33-05:00

I”m assuming you went out on terminal leave. If that’s the case I believe you technically did get paid those months. You are still paid up to your ETS and I think that’s why you are getting that answer from the VA. But as LTC Chu recommends check with the schools veteran counselor.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Nov 14 at 2022 11:30 AM

2022-11-14T11:30:00-05:00

The VA has rigid requirements and rules!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2022 1:11 PM

2022-11-14T13:11:29-05:00

The 400 days for MOB orders is to cover MOB process, Mission length and DEMOB process. While you were on Leave for 28 days, you were still on orders. You should have received REFRAD date when DEMOBing and then REFRAD orders. The date of the REFRAD is the date you were released from Active Duty. When DEMOBing, the process at S1 tells you how many Leave days you have, you fill out the Leave form if you don't want to sell. They also tell you what your REFRAD date is. Your REFRAD date is adjusted based on the Leave days taken. Your last day of Leave plus a day (give or take) would have been your REFRAD date. Again, you should have received REFRAD orders. If your REFRAD was NOT until November, that is why you wouldn't be getting the Housing Allowance. If your REFRAD was BEFORE November, then you should have received BAH for any time after your REFRAD. Go to your School Registrar and speak with the Veterans Rep at the Registrar, show them your 214 and your REFRAD orders. Also, speak with your VSO at the VA to show them these forms. Hopefully, things should get cleared up.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 14 at 2022 4:08 PM

2022-11-14T16:08:57-05:00

If it makes you feel better, I will tell you how I got f@cked much harder with the GI Bill.