The deadline for filing a claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP) is October 21, 2011 and thousands of eligible recipients have not filed.  Yesterday, President Obama, in a recorded message from the White House, urged all eligible recipients to claim their RSLSP by the upcoming deadline. 

“As your commander in chief, I'm here to tell you that this is no gimmick or trick, the president said.  “You earned this money. It doesn't matter whether you were Active or Reserve, whether you're a veteran who experienced "stop loss" or the survivor of a servicemember who did — if your service was extended, you're eligible."

Servicemembers, veterans, and beneficiaries whose length of service was extended involuntarily between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 under the “Stop Loss” program may be eligible to receive $500 for each month or partial month that they were in “Stop Loss” status.  Congress provided $534 million in the FY2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act for the RSLSP. 

DoD advises eligible members to visit their military service's stop loss web site and submit an application on-line.  The on-line submission provides a claim number and allows for automated status updates.  These web sites contain information on the appropriate method for submitting the claim form and available supporting documents based on service specifications.  If eligible members do not have internet access, they should complete and sign Department of Defense Form 2944, Claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Payment.