Stop loss benefit deadline extended

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — Eligible airmen, veterans and their beneficiaries now have until Dec. 3 to apply for retroactive stop loss special pay following an extension in the continuing resolution signed by the president Sept. 30.

The new Dec. 3 deadline extends the original Oct. 21 cutoff for applications and allows eligible recipients more time to apply for the benefit.

Airmen eligible for the benefit include active, retired and former members as well as Reserve and Guard component members who served on active duty while their enlistment or period of obligated service was involuntarily extended, or whose eligibility for separation or retirement was suspended as a result of stop loss. Legally designated beneficiaries for airmen affected may also apply.

To file a claim, eligible individuals may download a stop loss claim application at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss. Applicants who were serving in the Reserve or Guard at the time of stoploss may apply by visiting the Air Reserve Personnel Center website at https://arpc.afrc.af.mil/vPC-GR.

Due to the benefit period coming to a close this year, officials at Air Force Personnel Center here have seen an influx of applications, which has lengthened the processing period to eight to 10 weeks from the date an application is received.