The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a plan to address discrepancies in the way Veterans are paid housing benefits under the Forever GI Bill. Included is a change in the way GI Bill housing allowances are calculated. Here are some key provisions:
* The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is resetting implementation efforts, to give the department time to garner contracting support and resources it needs to process Spring 2020 enrollments.
* In the meantime, VBA will continue to pay Post 9/11 GI Bill monthly housing allowances at the same rate the Defense Department pays uncapped Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). If VA makes a mistake and overpays a veteran, the veteran will not be required to repay the money. If a veteran is underpaid, VA will correct the underpayments retroactively.
* Housing allowances will be based on the location of the educational institution’s main campus, rather than where a veteran lives.