Officials still seeking those impacted by stop loss

Daniel P. Elkins
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Office

May 10, 2010 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – More than 2,600 current and former Airmen have been approved for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay since Air Force Personnel Center officials here began accepting claims in September.

Officials continue to seek Airmen who were involuntarily held on active duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, to determine if they may be eligible for the special pay compensation of $500 for each month they were affected. Eligibility includes active, retired and former servicemembers as well as members of the Reserve component who served on active duty while their enlistment or period of obligated service was involuntarily extended, or whose eligibility for separation or retirement was suspended as a result of stop loss.

Eligible individuals have until Oct. 21, 2010, to file their claim with AFPC. Claims are being evaluated based upon historical records as well as all supporting documentation the applicant may submit. Officials here have received more than 3,200 claims to date with just about 100 still pending review or approval determination.

“The process is running very smoothly,” said Lt. Col. Damon Menendez, chief of the AFPC Separations Branch. “The more information the member provides, the better. However, we are still able to adjudicate cases efficiently whether the member provides supporting documents or not.”

Of the fewer than 500 claims disapproved, Colonel Menendez cites two chief reasons those claims have been found to be ineligible. First, while a member's Air Force specialty code was affected by stop loss, the individual’s desired date of separation or retirement date was not impacted involuntarily. Second, the member accepted a selective re-enlistment bonus subsequent to being affected by stop loss, which by law disqualifies the member for the stop loss special pay.

The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriation Act set aside $534.4 million for the Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay compensation authority. The Air Force used stop loss for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001-2002 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

To file a claim, eligible members or legally designated beneficiaries may download a stop loss claim application at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss. Applicants who were serving in the Reserve or Guard at the time of stop loss may find an application by visiting the Air Reserve Personnel Center website at https://arpc.afrc.af.mil/vPC-GR/.

“If you are unsure as to whether or not you are eligible, apply,” Colonel Menendez urged. “You have nothing to lose and potentially $500 or more to gain.”

For more information on program eligibility and claims instructions, visit the Air Force Personnel Center public website or call the Total Force Service Center at (800) 525-0102.