November 13, 2018

Rep. Takano Statement on G.I. Benefits Payment Delays Affecting Student Veterans

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after multiple reports stated that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is continuing to experience technical issues that are causing delays in payments of G.I. Bill benefits:

“It is completely unacceptable for student veterans to be on the brink of losing their housing and to be unable to pay their tuition because of G.I. Bill benefits payment delays. Last month, my colleagues and I urged the VA to quickly address these processing delays and issue information and financial hardship assistance to beneficiaries. The fact that this issue has been ongoing without any real improvements or solutions in place is unjustifiable. This further highlights the need for Congress to continue demanding greater accountability from the VA and the Trump Administration and performing proper oversight to ensure effective implementation of VA programming and benefits distribution. On Thursday, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will hold a hearing to address this issue — I look forward to getting answers on how the VA plans to provide much-needed relief to student veterans and develop concrete solutions to fix this problem and prevent it from happening again.” 

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