Posted on Jan 8, 2014
Support to expand GI Bill transfer to a former stepson....
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<p>If you have any compassion for other people or take a general interest in fighting for what is right, please help me! </p><p> </p><p>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...</p><p> </p><p>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!!! </p><p> </p><p>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. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/12/30/soldier-pushes-for-change-to-gi-bill.html</p><p> </p><p>http://www.change.org/petitions/university-of-illinois-in-chicago-christopher-is-not-responsible-for-this-debt</p><p> </p><p>I am trying to get our story out there and get it as much attention as it deserves! Please help! </p><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.
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GI Bill
Help
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 28
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What is even more frustrating is I was in the same boat as SFC Dees with a stepson since the age of 2. I too had my son enrolled in DEERS, TRICARE and claimed him on my taxes. He was not adopted but as far as the Army was concerned he was in my family. I transferred a year of my GI Bill to him and he used it in 2011. I never had the problems that SFC Dees has encountered. I really wonder why they would accept one and deny mother - seems very inconsistent and unfair.
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SFC (Join to see)
The reason they are denying mine is that stepchildren are eligible... Although Christopher was my stepchild first and was listed in DEERs as my stepchild - when I got divorced and got custody of him, they listed him as a "ward". It's crap. Just because his father and I divorced doesn't mean I divorced him. A stepchild is a stepchild for life. Just because grown ups can't figure their lives out and make their marriages work doesn't mean the kids have to suffer.
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Sounds like the college and the VA need to get their act together. You cannot even transfer your benefits if the child isn't on your DEERS. Good Luck to you and hopefully this will be resolved soon.
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Signed it, good luck with the VA.
Had similar problem even with an immediate family member, my wife. It took us over a year to get them to recognize the transfer of benefits.
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I am so sorry that you have had to deal with this. I have signed your petition.
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