VA Has Begun Updating Housing Payments with the 2010 BAH Rates for Post 9/11 GI Bill Students

Department of Veterans Affairs

Announcement

September 2, 2010

Effective January 1, 2010, DoD adjusted most housing rates.  VA’s housing payments under the Post-9/11 GI Bill are based on the DoD basic allowance for housing at the E-5 with dependents level for the zip code where you attend school.  Our new education claims processing system will begin phasing in the new rates September 1, 2010.  You can see the new rates at www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.html.

When will VA start paying the 2010 rates?

We will begin issuing checks at the 2010 rate on September 1st.  We expect all files to be updated by the October housing payment.

Do I have to submit a form or do anything to get the new housing rate?

Your payments will be updated to the 2010 rates automatically, you do not need to do anything.

My housing rate increased in 2010.  Do I get back-pay?

We will send you a one-time payment for the additional amount you are owed for your school attendance in 2010.  The payment will cover any increase due you for housing allowance during the period January 1, 2010 through July 31, 2010 and will be direct-deposited to your account during the first week of September.  The housing allowance for August, that is payable on September 1, will be at the 2010 rate.

I started school for the first time under the Post-9/11 GI Bill after January 1, 2010 and the housing rate for my area decreased for 2010.  What happens to my payments?

You were receiving the 2009 rate.  Your payment on September 1st (for the housing allowance for the month of August 2010) will be based on the 2010 housing rate.  You will not continue to be paid at the higher 2009 rate.  However, any housing payments previously paid to you at the 2009 rate will not be reduced and there will not be an overpayment on your record.

I started school under the Post-9/11 GI Bill in 2009 and the housing rate decreased for 2010.  How does that work?

You will continue to receive the higher 2009 rate during 2010 unless you change schools or have more than a 6-month break in school attendance.  However, in the transition to our new computer system, some housing payments were inadvertently reduced to the lower 2010 rate.  VA is taking immediate action to pay you the higher 2009 rate.

• Your award is being adjusted to return your monthly housing allowance rate to the higher 2009 rate.  You will receive a payment for the difference between the 2010 and 2009 rate for your September 1, 2010 payment.

• For future payments, your monthly housing allowance will remain at the higher 2009 rate.  You will continue to receive this rate unless you change schools or have more than a six-month break in attendance.

My housing rate is the same, is there a change to my VA housing?

Your VA housing payment will not change.

Source:  http://www.gibill.va.gov/community/announcements/general.html