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Are You Owed Money from VA? More Than 115,000 Veterans Could Be Due Up to $2,700 for GI Bill Refunds

October 11, 2021 by USMilitary.org

More than $300 million belonging to veterans could be unclaimed, and the VA is currently seeking out the veterans who may be owed refunds.

The refund is for those who made GI Bill contributions through the Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP).  The VEAP program was available to active-duty military personnel who served between Jan. 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985.  It came before the Montgomery GI Bill.

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A requirement of the VEAP program was that military members had to pay $2,700 of their own money to participate.  In return for every $1 the military member put in, they would be matched $2 by the government.

But there were lots of veterans who didn’t use their full GI Bill benefits, and they may now be owed a refund for the unused portion of their $2,700 contribution.

However, veterans who participated in the VEAP program and used only a portion of their GI Bill — or who didn’t use it at all — may be due a refund of their original $2,700 contribution or of the unused portion of it. Since the VEAP program closed to new participants in 1985, the VA may be attempting to close out the program, which hasn’t paid out any benefits in a number of years.

The VA is trying to locate veterans who may be eligible for the refunds. The next-of-kin also may receive the refund if the veteran is no longer living. The letter notifying schools of the refunds was posted to social media. 

via Military.com

Attention Vietnam-Era Veterans: The @DeptVetAffairs has determined approximately 115,000 veterans may be eligible for a refund of their unused Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) contributions. Please review the guide below for more information: pic.twitter.com/479IvTvYMH

— Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (@MIVeteran) August 19, 2021

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If you participated in the VEAP program and think you may be due for a refund, please contact the GI Bill hotline at 888-442-4551.  You can claim your refund at any time, as there is currently no deadline for getting the money.

Filed Under: Benefits Tagged With: GI Bill

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura is says

    August 23, 2021 at 3:40 pm

    My late Husband was Vietnam Veteran he passed away. Can I, as his widow, apply for this?

  2. Tony Harris says

    August 23, 2021 at 4:53 pm

    Thanks

    • Joyce McKinley says

      October 11, 2021 at 4:20 pm

      My husband passed away and would I be able to get that and while we weed in the Military we fixed up altos of the houses we lived in.thank you for you time.

  3. Thomas E. Cummings Jr. says

    August 23, 2021 at 5:07 pm

    I’m a Vietnam Veteran. I servered in Vietnam in 1969. Do I qualify for this refund? Thank you, Thomas E. Cummings Jr.

    • David Hayden says

      August 23, 2021 at 7:10 pm

      I SERVED IN VIETNAM/ 67N20 FLEW WITH THE BLACKHAWKS 67/70 DO I THIS REFUND?

  4. PHILIP ALDAMA says

    August 23, 2021 at 8:12 pm

    N/C

  5. Norman Calhoun says

    August 24, 2021 at 2:08 am

    I served on DMZ in Korea during 1968-1969. 2nd Infantry Division. Do I qualify for this benefit ?

  6. Joel krio says

    August 24, 2021 at 3:24 pm

    If I’m owed money, I’d be delighted to learn about it. Please send me all available information, and I thank you very much. With kind regards,

  7. Dennis Jones says

    August 24, 2021 at 3:27 pm

    Just wondering is I am eligible for a refund served from 1976 to 1984 army if so let me know you can reach me at 8502661790 or 4409 havre way pensacola fl 32505

  8. Edwardo Dominguez says

    August 24, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    Served from 1974 through 1978. Am i going to receive this benefit.

  9. Robert Woo says

    August 24, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    I served in Vietnam as an active-duty U.S. Navy combat officer from 1969 – 1973., with time spent in-country, in October of 1970.

  10. michael a longsdorf says

    August 24, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    i served in the army between 1977 thru 1980 am i eligeable for anything

  11. Robert Woo says

    August 24, 2021 at 3:50 pm

    I thought I had exhausted all of my eligible VA benefits, i.e. education benefits. If I’m owed additional funds, then I would appreciate having those funds sent to me: 120 Donnas Lane, Hollister, CA 95023

  12. Jacqueline L Bacon says

    August 24, 2021 at 4:11 pm

    I am a widow loyal husband serviced in VIETNAM. WILL I be eligible for the benefits
    and how would I apply??

  13. Clyde Davison says

    August 24, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    I thought I had exhausted all of my VA benefits, i.e. education benefits. if I’m owed additional funds, then I would appreciate having those funds sent to me 760 Eldert Ln apt 13 G Brooklyn, N.;Y. 11208 . the last education school I attend was Burk trade school..

  14. Camillo Galofaro says

    August 24, 2021 at 4:30 pm

    I served: US Army 2nd Battalion 81st Field Artillery 1975 – 1977. Am I eligible?

    • Michael Miller says

      August 24, 2021 at 5:20 pm

      Served in army from 1975 thru to 1979 4 div 1/22 inf ft Carson am I eligible

  15. Rufus T SAMPSON says

    August 24, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    I served from 1988 to 2011 do I qualify?

  16. Arthur Kriemelman says

    August 24, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    I was a re-activated US Army Reservist, Sgt E-5 and was activated in March 1968 to report for Active Duty at Ft. Carson, Colo in June and serve thru 1968 and to Nov 1969. I get some good medical help here in NYC, where I live, from the Harborside VA Hosp on E. 23rd Street. But, have NEVER had any other benefits and would like some help with some on-line learning of insurance, so I can work for and insurance company. Aflac is one of the ones I could join and they have an office close to where I live. The cost for the certification..(including passing the NY State license test, is no more that $400 tops. I have no job at present and no financila benefits from the VA and can use this funding to start making some money.. Also, before my 1968 activation, I took the required 2 years of ROTC at the University of Mo., where I graduated with honors with a Bachelor degree in Jan, 1963.. My DOB is Aug 19, 1940.
    Any help will be appreciated. Thank you

  17. Arthur Kriemelman says

    August 24, 2021 at 5:17 pm

    can you help me with this online tuition for an insurance course that yields a certificate in my state, NY, and
    provide a way for me to make some money?

  18. Keith B Deering says

    August 24, 2021 at 5:42 pm

    Served in US ARMY NOV 1972 til Feb 1988.

  19. Kim lily jean says

    August 24, 2021 at 6:02 pm

    I’m a Vietnam Veteran. I servered in Vietnam in 1969. Do I qualify for this refund? Thank you,

  20. Thomas Pulsifer says

    August 24, 2021 at 6:16 pm

    I served in the USAF from 11/07/1960 -11/21/69! in Vietnam in 1968! Is there anything I am eligible for

  21. marilyn jeannetta hinkle says

    August 24, 2021 at 7:55 pm

    I am a widow of a veteran who served from 1960-1980 Vietnam and lots more am I eligible for anything ,,

  22. Joseph F Riccaldo Jr says

    August 25, 2021 at 2:41 am

    joseph f riccaldo says August 24 10:29 I served in Vietnam 1968-69 with 1st cav division’honorable discharge. 101 walnut hills apt.101 westhaverstraw new york 10993-1128.i would appreciate if i am eligable. thank you very much.

  23. Joseph Johnson says

    August 25, 2021 at 2:54 am

    I served during that period, How do I know if I qualify for the refund?

  24. vernard marshall says

    August 25, 2021 at 4:39 pm

    I serv 2/68 to 2/69 do i gualify

  25. vernard marshall says

    August 25, 2021 at 4:41 pm

    i’m a vietnam vetran

  26. vernard marshall says

    August 25, 2021 at 4:42 pm

    im a vietnam veteran

  27. Andre says

    August 26, 2021 at 4:50 am

    Have been waiting on an appeal since 2014 or 2016. Why is this taking so long? Who do we contact when the ebenifits page says your like number 85,000 out of God knows how many? I also need to file for other disabilities. The VA I cannot say is bad or the worst entity out there but the way things are going for veterans lately. It makes me question the advise I give young adults who ask me about joining the military now. This isn’t how we are supposed to be treated. How can I recommend this to a young person trying to start their life?

  28. Judy Craven says

    October 11, 2021 at 5:23 pm

    I served in the US Air Force from 1975 to 1994. I remember the VEAP program and seem to recall we were not left a lot of choice whether to participate. I would love to know if I am eligible.

  29. Jeffrey s knoop SFC Army Ret. says

    October 11, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    I served from 1980 to 1985 and put into it but never used it. Please end any information regarding this claim.
    Thank you

  30. Gene Stevens says

    October 12, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    I was in the Army Reserves from 1971-1977, do I qualify for anything?

  31. Odist Bryant says

    October 12, 2021 at 7:04 pm

    I served from 1983 to 84 navy

  32. Filogonio Ramos Jr. says

    October 12, 2021 at 8:17 pm

    I am a Vietnam veteran who served in combat while in country. 1970 through 1971. Do I deserve something back, I did use some of my VA education benefits and didn’t finish my course and had to pay back for failing my course.

  33. Harry E Ackroyd says

    October 12, 2021 at 11:58 pm

    Vietnam veteran, used some of my VA benefits, but don’t know how much.

  34. Edna Flournoy says

    October 13, 2021 at 5:20 am

    I served in the Air Force from 1974 to 1983. Do I qualify?

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