On Jan. 3, 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) updated its GI Bill education benefits policy. This change could mean you qualify for more education benefits than you thought! If you served multiple periods in the military and qualify for both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may now be eligible to receive up to 48 months of combined benefits.
Who qualifies for expanded benefits?
To be eligible for these expanded benefits, you must meet the following criteria:
- Multiple service periods: You must have served at least two separate periods of active duty.
- Montgomery GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility: One period of service must qualify you for the Montgomery GI Bill, and another period must qualify you for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
The updated policy also includes a provision for retroactive benefits. This means that if you previously exhausted your GI Bill benefits under one program (e.g., the Montgomery GI Bill), you may now be eligible to receive additional benefits under the other program (e.g., the Post-9/11 GI Bill). This could result in up to 12 months of retroactive payments.
What should you do?
The VA is actively working to identify and notify potentially eligible veterans. Here’s what you can do to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve:
- Check your records: Review your service records to confirm that you have multiple periods of service that make you eligible for both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
- Stay informed: The VA will contact potentially impacted veterans. Be sure to keep an eye on your mail and email for important updates.
- Take action: If you believe you’re eligible but haven’t received communication from the VA, don’t wait! Proactively file a claim to start the process.
- Don’t miss the deadline: The deadline to apply for these additional benefits is October 1, 2030.
Important Considerations
- Automatic adjudication: The VA estimates that it can automatically process claims for approximately 660,000 veterans. You may not need to take any action.
- Proactive outreach: The VA is committed to contacting all potentially eligible veterans to inform them of this policy change and encourage them to file a claim.
- Expiration date extension: If you are found eligible for additional benefits, your GI Bill benefit expiration date may be extended. You must apply by October 1, 2030, to receive this extension.
To learn more, visit the Rudisill info on VBA’s education service webpage.