Veterans may be eligible for one more year of G.I. Bill benefits 

Are you a Veteran who served at least two periods of service? In other words, did you reenlist? If so, there’s a chance that you’re eligible for additional G.I. Bill benefits. 

Today, VA announced that it has updated its process for awarding G.I. Bill benefits. This means that many Veterans who served multiple periods of military service (for example, Veterans who reenlisted) may be eligible for additional benefits for themselves or their beneficiaries. 

Specifically, under the previous policy, eligible Veterans who served at least two periods of service were forced to choose between the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill for a maximum of 36 months of G.I. Bill benefits. Under the updated policy, Veterans will no longer have to make that choice when they apply for benefits, meaning that they can qualify for up to 48 months of G.I. Bill benefits. 

Many Veterans are also now eligible for additional, retroactive benefits. Specifically, Veterans who served at least two periods of service—one that qualified them for the Montgomery G.I. Bill and a second that qualified them for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill—may be eligible to receive up to 12 months of additional G.I. Bill benefits (bringing them to a total of 48 months). These Veterans may be eligible to receive 12 months of additional, retroactive G.I. Bill benefits (bringing them to a total of 48 months). 

Who qualifies for this expansion?   

Veterans who served at least two periods of service—one that qualifies for the Montgomery G.I. Bill and a second that qualifies for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill—may be able to receive additional GI Bill® benefits. 

Will I be notified if I’m eligible?  

Yes, VA will be distributing communications to potentially impacted beneficiaries. 

My G.I. Bill benefits expired. Will there be an extension if I’m found eligible? 

To receive an expiration date extension, applications must be submitted by Oct. 1, 2030. 

Do I need to do anything?  

Of the 1.04 million Veterans who may potentially be eligible for additional benefits, VA will be able to automatically adjudicate the claims for approximately 660,000 without any further action required on their part. For all remaining Veterans, VA will be reaching out to them directly to encourage them to file a claim. 

When is the deadline to apply for those who need to take action? 

Oct. 1, 2030. 

To learn more about this change, including how to apply, visit the Rudisill info on VBA’s education service webpage.