New legislation expands educational benefits for veterans and extends unemployment compensation

On June 30, 2008, President Bush signed H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008. Among other things, the Act expands the education benefits veterans receive, and extends unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their benefits by up to 13 weeks.

Post-911 Veterans

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act (Title V of the Supplemental Appropriations Act) has been hailed as the biggest expansion of educational benefits (the "GI Bill") for servicemembers and veterans since World War II. The new benefit program, which is available to individuals who have served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, takes effect August 1, 2009.

Highlights of eligibility requirements

• Active duty servicemembers (including members of the Guard and Reserve) and veterans may be eligible if they have served at least 90 consecutive days on active duty (or 30 days if discharged for a service-connected disability).
  
  
• Eligibility for benefits extends 15 years from date of discharge or release from last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days (or 30 days if individual was released for a service-connected disability).
  
  
• Individuals who are currently eligible for educational assistance under the government's current program, the Montgomery GI Bill, can elect to participate in the Post-9/11 educational assistance program if they have not used up all of their entitlements, and they meet other eligibility requirements.

Highlights of educational benefits

• Benefits will be payable for approved programs of education including graduate and undergraduate education. Tutorial assistance benefits, reimbursement for licensing and certification tests, on-the-job training, correspondence courses, and other types of training may also be covered.
  
  
• Benefits will be payable for up to 36 months for education or training pursued on or after August 1, 2009.
  
  
• Tuition costs and fees will be covered for eligible servicemembers and veterans (up to 100% of the highest public college/university undergraduate tuition and fees rate in the state in which the student is enrolled). Veterans may also receive a monthly stipend for books and supplies (up to $1,000 per year) and a monthly housing allowance (the housing allowance is not payable for those pursuing training at half time or for distance learning). Full benefits will be payable for individuals who have served at least 36 months on active duty since 9/11 (30 days for individuals discharged due to a service-connected disability). Individuals who have 90 or more days of service but less than 36 months of service since 9/11 will receive partial benefits ranging from 40% to 90% of the maximum benefit available.
  
  
• Benefits may be transferable to spouses or dependent children in some cases (this option will likely be offered as a retention incentive to servicemembers who have served for a number of years).

More information is available on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website, www.gibill.va.gov.

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Benefits

Title IV of the Supplemental Appropriations Act extends unemployment compensation up to 13 weeks to unemployed workers who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits for benefit years ending on or after May 1, 2007. Individuals may receive additional benefits if they meet all state and federal eligibility requirements. Extended benefits are available as of July 6, 2008 (payable for the week ending July 12, 2008). No new claims may be started after March 31, 2009.