VA Adds GI Bill Benefits that Could Help More than 1 Million Veterans after Supreme Court Ruling
More than 1 million U.S. military veterans could see their GI Bill education benefits greatly boosted under new rules that come in response to a decorated Army veteran’s victory in a case in which the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government cheated him out of a year’s worth of college money.
New Rules and Benefits
As a result of the high court ruling last April, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says veterans who reenlisted, did at least two separate periods of military service and earned benefits under more than one version of the GI Bill will be able to get 48 months of college benefits for themselves or eligible family members, up from 36 months.
Eligible Veterans
The changes apply to veterans nationwide like James Rudisill, the vet whose Supreme Court victory capped an eight-year court battle for the greater college benefits he said the VA wrongly denied him.
How It Works
Rudisill, who’s now an FBI agent, is a Virginia resident whose pro bono team of lawyers included Chicago attorney Misha Tseytlin and former Army paratrooper Tim McHugh. Serving in the Army, Rudisill earned college benefits under both the Montgomery GI Bill, which covers tuition, and the newer, more generous Post-9/11 GI Bill, which pays for tuition, fees, housing and books.
Retroactive Benefits
The change in policy announced by the VA in response to the Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision is retroactive.
How to Apply
The federal agency said it “will be distributing communications to potentially impacted beneficiaries” and that 1.04 million veterans potentially are eligible for additional benefits. Rudisiill’s lawyers put the number at 1.7 million.
Veterans whose GI Bill benefits already expired can apply for an extension of their expiration date but must do so by October 1, 2030.
The VA is advising vets to wait to apply, though, until they are ready to use the extra benefits because the new expiration date will be based on the date of the application.
FAQs
Q: What is the new rule?
The new rule allows veterans who reenlisted, did at least two separate periods of military service and earned benefits under more than one version of the GI Bill to get 48 months of college benefits for themselves or eligible family members, up from 36 months.
Q: How many veterans are eligible for the new benefits?
According to the VA, 1.04 million veterans potentially are eligible for additional benefits. Rudisiill’s lawyers put the number at 1.7 million.
Q: Can I apply for retroactive benefits?
Veterans whose GI Bill benefits already expired can apply for an extension of their expiration date but must do so by October 1, 2030.
Q: How do I apply for the new benefits?
The VA has posted details online explaining how to apply for the additional benefits under the Rudisill decision at https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/rudisill.asp.
Q: What is the deadline to apply?
Veterans are advised to wait to apply until they are ready to use the extra benefits because the new expiration date will be based on the date of the application.
