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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is eligible?
2. Is an honorable discharge required to receive the payment?
3. If the eligible member is deceased, do surviving family members qualify for payment?
4. How does someone apply?
5. Who approves or disapproves applications for payment?
6. What if I don't agree with the decision? Can I appeal?
7. What information or documents are required to submit an application?
8. What are the application inclusive dates?
9. What is the cutoff date for providing supporting documents?
10. Can I call the Air Force Personnel Center or Air Reserve Personnel Center to obtain any supporting documents?
11. What if I can't find the supporting documents?
12. How will the pay be disbursed?
13. Did I have to be in country or in the area of responsibility to qualify?
14. Approximately how many people are affected by this?
15. Does a master list of eligible personnel exist?
16. Is eligibility restricted to certain Air Force specialty codes or specific military operations?
17. My Air Force specialty code was affected by stop loss, but I never applied to retire or separate, am I eligible for the stop loss payment?
18. My enlistment was involuntarily extended, but then I decided to re-enlist, am I eligible?
19. When my Air Force specialty was released from stop loss, the Air Force allowed me to select a new retirement/separation date, five months after the date my AFSC was released to allow for transition time to include outprocessing and terminal leave. Am I eligible to claim that time? What date is the effective date that I was released from stop loss, the retirement or separation date I re-established upon release from stop loss, or the date my AFSC was released from stop loss?
20. My AFSC was affected by stop loss and I had an approved retirement/separation date, but I retired/separated on my original date. Am I eligible for the stop loss payment?
21. When stop loss was implemented I didn't have a retirement/separation date, but I applied and was approved for retirement/separation during stop loss. Am I eligible for the stop loss payment?
22. When stop loss was implemented, I didn't have a retirement/separation date, but I applied for a waiver from stop loss in conjunction with requesting retirement/separation. Am I eligible for the stop loss payment?
23. I initially had an approved retirement/separation date, but I then elected to withdraw my retirement or separation date. Am I eligible for the stop loss payment?
24. How long will it take the Air Force to process my claim?
25. How will payment of my claim affect my taxes?
26. Is the stop loss payment taxed at the regular income rate or at the higher lump sum or bonus rate?
27. Where can I go to get additional information about this program?
1. Who is eligible?
Answer: The Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay benefit is payable to members of armed forces, including Reserve component members while on active duty, who at any time from Sept. 11, 2001, to Sept. 30, 2009, had an approved separation or retirement date and were delayed due to stop loss.
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2. Is an honorable discharge required to receive the payment?
Answer: Benefits under Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay are payable to eligible individuals provided they did not receive a discharge from the armed forces under other than honorable conditions.
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3. If the eligible member is deceased, do surviving family members qualify for payment?
Answer: Yes, surviving family members of eligible Airmen qualify for the payment so long as proof of either incapacity or death and eligibility are provided along with their claims form.
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4. How does someone apply?
Answer: Eligible individuals, or their family members when an eligible individual is deceased or incapacitated, can print and complete Department of Defense Form 2944, Claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Payment, from the "Claims Process" link on this site and follow instructions for submitting them to the appropriate active or Reserve component office.
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5. Who approves or disapproves applications for payment?
Answer: The Air Force Personnel Center Separations Branch is responsible for reviewing all claims applications for active, retired and former Airmen. The Air Reserve Personnel Center Separations Branch is responsible for reviewing applications for Guard and Reserve members. Both branches will approve or disapprove applications based on eligibility outlined on this site.
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6. What if I don't agree with the decision? Can I appeal?
Answer: Yes. Denied applications will be returned to the applicant with a letter explaining the appellate process. The appeal authority rests with the commander of the Air Force Personnel Center for active, retired and former members and the commander for the Air Reserve Personnel Center for Guard and Reserve members.
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7. What information or documents are required to submit an application?
Answer: Eligible applicants should first submit a completed Department of Defense Form 2944, Claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Payment, available at the "Claims Process" link of this Web site. AFPC or ARPC personnel officials will review the application and attempt to adjudicate the claim based on the information provided. Applicants will be notified should additional supporting documents be needed.
8. What are the application inclusive dates?
Answer: Airmen eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay may submit claims Oct. 21, 2009, through March 18, 2011.
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9. What is the cutoff date for providing supporting documents?
Answer: Applications for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay must be received by March 18, 2011. A claim may be held in pending status awaiting additional documentation or response from the applicant beyond that date for a period not to exceed 120 days after the program close-out date. If applicants in pending status after the close-out date fail to provide the additional information requested, the claim will be adjudicated based on the information available.
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10. Can I call the Air Force Personnel Center or Air Reserve Personnel Center to obtain any supporting documents?
Answer: Yes. You may request supporting documents, such as DD Form 214, from AFPC, ARPC or the National Personnel Records Center Archives. View the "Request Source Documents" link on this Web site for further instructions or contact the Total Force Service Center at (800) 525-0102.
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11. What if I can't find the supporting documents?
Answer: The Air Force Personnel Center or Air Reserve Personnel Center will adjudicate applications for those possessing no supporting documents based on available information.
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12. How will the pay be disbursed?
Answer: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service will make direct deposit payment to an individual's bank account, based on the application received. Applicants must ensure the provide proper routing and account numbers for their banking institution on Department of Defense Form 2944, Claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Payment, when submitting their requests.
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13. Did I have to be in country or in the area of responsibility to qualify?
Answer: Stop loss is not location specific. Airmen who were involuntarily held on active duty beyond an approved separation or retirement date as a result of stop loss between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, are eligible for the special pay.
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14. Approximately how many people are affected by this?
Answer: Approximately 16,000 total Air Force members may have been affected by stop loss during the applicable time frames.
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15. Does a master list of eligible personnel exist?
Answer: No such list exists for active-duty personnel. During a server changeover at the Air Force Personnel Center in 2004, much of this information was lost. The Air Reserve Personnel Center does have a list of eligible Reserve members.
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16. Is eligibility restricted to certain Air Force specialty codes or specific military operations?
Answer: No. Airmen who were involuntarily held on active duty beyond an approved separation or retirement date as a result of stop loss between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, are eligible for the special pay.
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17. My Air Force specialty code was affected by stop loss, but I never applied to retire or separate, am I eligible for the stop loss payment?
Answer: No. Unless you had an approved retirement or separation date or your term of enlistment was involuntarily extended you are not eligible for the stop loss payment.
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18. My enlistment was involuntarily extended, but then I decided to re-enlist, am I eligible?
Answer: Eligibility for those re-enlisting under stop loss depends on whether or not an individual received a selective re-enlistment bonus. If your enlistment was involuntarily extended and upon re-enlistment you received an SRB, then you are not eligible to receive stop loss payment for any period of time you were involuntarily extended. Airmen in Air Force specialties not eligible for an SRB would be entitled to stop loss payment for the number of months and partial month, if applicable, that their enlistment was involuntarily extended. For instance, if your enlistment was involuntarily extended for two months and then you decided to re-enlist after entering and serving a month and part of second month of involuntary extension and received no selective re-enlistment bonus, then you would be eligible for two months' payment.
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19. When my Air Force specialty was released from stop loss, the Air Force allowed me to select a new retirement/separation date, five months after the date my AFSC was released to allow for transition time to include outprocessing and terminal leave. Am I eligible to claim that time? What date is the effective date that I was released from stop loss, the retirement or separation date I re-established upon release from stop loss, or the date my AFSC was released from stop loss?
Answer: Yes. You are eligible to claim the time from your original retirement or separation date until your actual retirement or separation date to include the authorized transition time. Your effective date of release from the stop loss is the date you actually retired or separated. An exception, however, is if upon announcement that AFSCs would be released, the Air Force established a maximum date that could be requested to allow for transition time. If you requested an extension beyond the transition period authorized by the Air Force, then you would not be paid for the additional time period after the latest retirement or separation date authorized by the Air Force.
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20. My AFSC was affected by stop loss and I had an approved retirement/separation date, but I retired/separated on my original date. Am I eligible for the stop loss payment?
Answer: No. If you retired or separated on your original date, then you are not eligible.
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21. When stop loss was implemented I didn't have a retirement/separation date, but I applied and was approved for retirement/separation during stop loss. Am I eligible for the stop loss payment?
Answer: You are eligible only if your retirement or separation date was extended beyond the date for which you were originally eligible, and which was approved.
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22. When stop loss was implemented, I didn't have a retirement/separation date, but I applied for a waiver from stop loss in conjunction with requesting retirement/separation. Am I eligible for the stop loss payment?
Answer: No. If you retired or separated on your approved date, then you are not eligible. However, if you were held past your approved retirement or separation date as a result of stop loss then you are eligible for the retroactive stop loss payment.
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23. I initially had an approved retirement/separation date, but I then elected to withdraw my retirement or separation date. Am I eligible for the stop loss payment?
Answer: If your AFSC was affected by stop loss or you were deployed and you voluntarily withdrew your retirement or separation application, you would be eligible for payment for the number of months you were held beyond your original retirement or separation date. For instance, if your original retirement date was Dec. 31, 2001, then in April 2002 upon release of your AFSC from stop loss you elected to withdraw your retirement or separation date, you would be eligible for stop loss payments for the months of January, February, March and April 2002.
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24. How long will it take the Air Force to process my claim?
Answer: While the goal is to immediately adjudicate your claim, the standard processing time is 10 to 12 weeks from the date AFPC received your submission. Due to the large volume of claims received during the last two months, officials ask that claimants request a status of their claims only after at least 12 weeks have passed from the date of submission. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service may require an additional 21 days for processing payment. If you have not been notified of a decision within the prescribed timeframe, please contact the Total Force Service Center at (800) 525-0102 to request a status update. To assist technicians in serving you, please reference your claim number provided on your receipt acknowledgement letter.
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25. How will payment of my claim affect my taxes?
Answer: Your stop loss special pay compensation payment will be taxed for the year in which you received the payment. For instance, if you receive your payment in December 2009, then the payment is considered reportable income for your 2009 tax return.
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26. Is the stop loss payment taxed at the regular income rate or at the higher lump sum or bonus rate?
Answer: Stop loss payments are considered a one-time payment and will be taxed at the
25-percent rate.
27. Where can I go to get additional information about this program?
Answer: For information or questions regarding Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay not available through this site, active, retired and former Air Force members can e-mail the Air Force Personnel Center at afpc.dpsos.stoploss@us.af.mil. Reserve members should visit the Air Reserve Personnel Center at https://arpc.afrc.af.mil/vPC-GR/ or e-mail arpc.contactcenter@arpc.denver.af.mil.
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(Current as of Oct. 1, 2010)
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