Approximately 39,000 current and former 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, may be eligible for a Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay compensation of $500 for each whole or partial month they were affected. Stop loss special pay extended by Cindy Dewey ARPC Public Affairs 3/15/2012 - BUCKLEY AFB, Colo. (AFNS) -- Eligible Airmen, veterans and their beneficiaries now have until midnight Oct. 21 to apply for retroactive stop loss special pay following an extension in the continuing resolution authorized by Public Law 112-74. The new Oct. 21, 2012 deadline extends the original cutoff for applications and allows eligible recipients more time to apply for the benefit. Airmen eligible for the benefit include active, retired and former members as well as guard and reserve component members who served on active duty while their enlistment or period of obligated service was involuntarily extended, or whose eligibility for separation or retirement was suspended as a result of stop loss. Legally designated beneficiaries for Airmen affected may also apply. To file a claim, eligible individuals may download a stop loss claim application at http://www.afpc.af.mil/stoploss/. Applicants who were serving in the Reserve or Guard at the time of stop loss may apply by visiting vPC-GR via the Air Force Personnel Services website.   Air Force officials used stop loss for Operation Enduring Freedom from Oct. 2, 2001, through Jan. 31, 2003, and Operation Iraqi Freedom from May 2 through Dec. 31, 2003. Individuals who were deployed during either operation may be eligible beyond the inclusive dates depending on their Air Force specialty and deployment return date. The Stop Loss Program may have affected approximately 39,000 Airmen. For more information on program eligibility and claims instructions, call the Total Force Service Center - Denver at (800) 525-0102.