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Posted on Jan 8, 2014

Support to expand GI Bill transfer to a former stepson....

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If you have any compassion for other people or take a general interest in fighting for what is right, please help me!   I have been through an unfortunate series of events since 2010  :(  I am stuck between the VA and the DOD and it is not a fun place to be... If you have a ward or are a foster parent, this could affect you in the future!  I had a stepson whom I continued to support (he's now 22) after I divorced his father.  I took sole custody and the Army supported him for 15 years... Everything was fine until I had to deal with the VA after I transferred my GI Bill benefits to him in 2010. Please read and sign my petition.  I really need help!  There is also a link to an article that was written on our case.  Thanks!!!  The bill in congress is called HR 3600 and has 35 cosponsors.  A bill was also introduced in the senate at the beginning of this month.    http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/12/30/soldier-pushes-for-change-to-gi-bill.html http://www.change.org/petitions/university-of-illinois-in-chicago-christopher-is-not-responsible-for-this-debt I am trying to get our story out there and get it as much attention as it deserves!  Please help!  <div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/12/30/soldier-pushes-for-change-to-gi-bill.html" target="_blank"> Soldier Pushes for Change to GI Bill | Military.com</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">NEWPORT NEWS -- In August 2010, Sgt. 1st Class Angela Dees sent her stepson off to college, a move made possible because she transferred her benefits to him under the GI Bill.

Or that's what she th...</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"></div></div>

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Edited >1 y ago

Posted 11 y ago

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Responses: 28

SFC (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

Signed. What a selfless person you are to give your stepson from a PREVIOUS marriage your GI Bill.

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

Thanks :) He is the center of my universe for sure! I love him just the same as any other mother loves the children she gave birth to...

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Suspended Profile

11 y

Agree with SFC Watkins, obviously you are a kind gentle soul :)

SSG V. Michelle Woods

Posted 11 y ago

I'm so sorry you have to go through this SFC  Dees. I signed it!

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

Thank you!

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SSgt (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

I am sick of a heavy-handed VA disputing a claimants case.  Those 9-4:30ers have what they need.   Best wishes with the VA and will check out your petition.

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

I have been fighting this for 3 years now :( I just don't understand how these people can't see what an injustice this is...

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SFC Michael Hasbun

Posted 11 y ago

I don't see how this is your fault..

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

Neither do I... That is why I am so passionate about fighting it!

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

Thanks for the advice.  I have claimed him every year!  I didn't even think about that.  The problem is going to be that after my divorce he changed from "stepson" to "ward" in the DEERs system and wards and foster children are not eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill because of the way the law was written.  That is why I have been bothering my congressman to get that bill into congress! It is currently in the committee of house veterans' affairs subcommittee economic opportunity and has been since 21 November.  2 days ago we got 8 more co-sponsors (2 rep, 6 dems) but I am not sure the likeliness of it ever making it to the floor :( Congress is so messed up nowadays :(  <div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.govtrack.us/static/images/media_icon.png?20130118"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/committees/HSVR" target="_blank">House Committee on Veterans' Affairs - GovTrack.us</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">House Committee on Veterans' Affairs</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"></div></div>

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

I didn't mean to put that link there, I have been researching and I must have accidentally pasted it, haha

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SPC(P) Veronica King

Posted 11 y ago

signed

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

Thank you

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SFC James Baber

Posted 11 y ago

Angela,

I also hit up about 50 of my military friends on FB as well, so hopefully some of them will sign as well.

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

Thank you so much!

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MSgt (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

Was your stepson in DEERs and a card carrying dependent?  If so, then I don't see where the VA can have any issue whatsoever.  I transferred my GI bill to my two daughters before I retired - so I know all about the issues with the VA handling the GI bill process.  I signed your petition - I hope for your family's sake and those of others that might be in the same situation that it works out. 

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MSgt (Join to see)

11 y

I don't see where they
have a leg to stand on the section below is from the VA's own site concerning
the 9/11 GI BILL:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Eligible Family Members<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

An
individual approved to transfer an entitlement to educational assistance under
this section may transfer the individual’s entitlement to:<o:p></o:p>

The individual’s spouse.<o:p></o:p>

One or more of the individual’s children.<o:p></o:p>

Any combination of spouse and child.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

A
family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting
System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits, at the time of transfer to receive
transferred educational benefits.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

A
child’s subsequent marriage will not affect his or her eligibility to receive
the educational benefit; however, after an individual has designated a child as
a transferee under this section, the individual retains the right to revoke or
modify the transfer at any time.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

A
subsequent divorce will not affect the transferee’s eligibility to receive
educational benefits; however, after an individual has designated a spouse as a
transferee under this section, the eligible individual retains the right to
revoke or modify the transfer at any time. <o:p></o:p>

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

You would think so...  I even got an approval letter from the DOD...  None of that matters as far as the VA is concerned.  I can't even get my paperwork for an appeal to an appeals board because the VA allows random people to just deny your appeal and not make it through the whole process.  If I could just talk to someone with some compassion for veterans and some common sense, this could probably be fixed!

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MSgt (Join to see)

11 y

It's a good thing that the VA isn't run like a corporation (the amount of incompentance that has been part of them for decades and continues now) otherwise the organization would either have a complete personnel change from the top down or it would have been shut down by class action suites.

I sent your links out on twitter and facebook - so hopefully more people will get involved and sign your petition and pressure the VA for some common sense decisions for once. I hope you win this battle against stupidity.

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

Thanks for your support :)

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SGT (Join to see)

Edited 11 y ago

Posted 11 y ago

SFC Dees, I signed the petition, too. I once had an issue with the VA back in 2000 where they claimed I was ineligible for the Montgomery G.I. Bill because I was in for less than 36 months during my brief time in the Navy. I had signed up for the MGIB when I enlisted in the Army and gave them my $1200. Eventually, they reinstated my MGIB benefits after congress had passed a bill in late 2000 stating that a service member can receive MGIB benefits if that SM had served for less than 36 months. Hopefully, your Congressman can get something done; this too, will change for the better. Best of luck.

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

Glad it worked out for you and thank you for signing :)

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CPT(P) (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

I have my own epic VA drama right now, including a fake debt that was sent to the treasury department for collections without being sent a bill, so I MAJORLY feel you on this issue. I hope we can see a change, this kind of stuff is ridiculous!!!! Hoping your issue gets resolved.

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SFC (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

I signed it, hopefully it will work. I have two step sons I plan to give mine too.

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Support to expand GI Bill transfer to a former stepson....

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