US Troops Leave Millions in Unclaimed Back Pay
The Defense Department say an estimated 145,000 service members, veterans and beneficiaries are entitled to the retroactive pay of $500 for each month of involuntary service beyond original discharge dates - a policy known as "stop-loss."
Those eligible to receive the payments must apply by October 21. The Defense Department says the average payout is between $3,000 to $4,000.
The Washington Post says the military is trying to reach some 90,000 veterans and active duty troops to have them apply for the money. A Pentagon official told the newspaper that many veterans ignored the letters sent to them, forgotten about filing paperwork, or believe the offer is just a gimmick.
The newspaper reports that by the end of last month, the military had approved $210 million in back pay. It says $324 million has been left unclaimed.
The application is online at www.defense.gov/stoploss.
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