November 2, 2009

The new GI bill was announced with much fanfare last August, but now we're hearing things may not be going so well.

Veterans say they haven't received their payments yet, and with school already started, veterans are being left in the lurch.

When the post 9/11 GI bill was announced, CBS19's Bianca Spinosa spoke with a young woman who serves in the National Guard. She told CBS19 how excited she was about enrolling in the nursing program at Piedmont Virginia Community College through the new GI bill. She's taking classes, but like thousands of others, she's still waiting for the benefits she was promised. The Veterans Affairs office claims the delay is because of a huge backup in paperwork.

Jacki Nelson helped heal the wounded while serving in Kuwait in 2007. Nelson is still waiting to see her benefits.

"They put you on hold forever, and you really don't get any answers straight forward," says Nelson.

Nelson received a letter telling her it would take months to get the checks, but class has already started. The post 9/11 GI bill, crafted by our own Senator Jim Webb, includes $1,000 towards books, and a full housing stipend for soldiers who served in active duty overseas after 9/11.

This fall at the University of Virginia, 146 veterans are applying for benefits under the new GI bill. However, an official with the UVa ROTC tells me veterans at UVa aren't having trouble getting their benefits on time.

"A number of...officers have already earned those benefits, and are looking forward to using them, but we haven't experienced any of the turbulence reported elsewhere," says Lt. Col. Timothy Leroux.

Lt. Col. Leroux tells me that's because he doesn't think as many combat veterans apply to UVa. Also, veterans in the ROTC program who hope to see education benefits for their children have kids that are still ten years away from enrolling in college. But this could change as students like Nelson graduate from community college and enroll in four-year universities.

"These are young people that have had remarkable experiences and can speak directly about what it's like to be on the tip of the spear of foreign policy," says Lt. Col. Leroux.

The government promises the benefits are on their way. Students like Nelson just have to wait.

"I would love to get it soon, and I'd love to get an answer," says Nelson.

More than 52,000 veterans and their relatives have applied for benefits nationwide.

In early October the VA Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs apologized to veterans for the payment delays. But many want more than an apology.

We welcome your comments on this story.