Sen.: Retroactive stop-loss pay still possible

[unhappycamper]

Sen.: Retroactive stop-loss pay still possible
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Oct 7, 2008 6:59:35 EDT

With a new stop-loss allowance of up to $500 a month accumulating for people involuntarily held on active duty after Oct. 1, the chief sponsor of the benefit says there is a chance next year for retroactive payments for those previously affected by stop-loss orders.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., the lawmaker who pushed hardest for the new benefit, said making the payment effective Oct. 1 “was an important step.”

“In the next Congress, we will continue our work to make sure every soldier who has already been kept from their family because of this policy is also compensated,” he said.

The new stop-loss allowance, payable for as little as one day of involuntary service for active-duty, National Guard and reserve members, became law Sept. 30, when President Bush signed an omnibus spending bill that included the 2009 defense appropriations bill.

More than 12,200 soldiers are eligible immediately, although it is not clear when they will get their first payment or even how much the payment might be.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/10/military_stoploss_100608/%2e