Military Stop-Loss: Murray Announces that Washington State Service Members Can Begin to Apply for Involuntary Service Payments Today

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, announced that active, reserve, and former service members across Washington state can begin applying today for additional payments approved by Congress for service beyond their required military contracts. Senator Murray helped pass these “retroactive stop-loss payments” as part of the Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill (H.R. 2364) that was signed into law on June 24th, 2009. The $500 per month payment will cover involuntary service performed from September 11th, 2001 through September 30th, 2009. The payment will be open to all branches of the military including Guard and Reserve members.

“These payments recognize the sacrifices many of our state’s service members made under extraordinary circumstances,” said Senator Murray. “Even after their retirement or release dates, these men and women continued to answer the call to serve. They deserve this additional benefit. I urge every service member in Washington state who believes they qualify to gather their records and apply immediately for this well-earned payment.”

Important Facts on Retroactive Stop-Loss Payments 

• Effective Oct. 21, active, reserve, and former service members will be eligible to be compensated for each month, or portion of a month, they were retained beyond their contracted separation or voluntary retirement date.
• Payments are retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001, and cover involuntary service performed through Sept. 30, 2009.
• Claims may be submitted starting Oct. 21 and must be filed by Oct. 21, 2010.
• Service members who have received regular stop-loss pay for service performed after Oct. 1, 2008, will be compensated only if they were in stop-loss status before that date.
• Retroactive compensation will be paid lump sum for the months served in stop-loss status.
• Service members will not receive retroactive stop-loss pay if they received regular stop-loss pay for the same period.

Where to Apply/Get More Information

Army: https://www.stoplosspay.army.mil

Navy:  send email to – NXAG_N132C@navy.mil

Marine Corps:  https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/stoploss

Air Force:  http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss