U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor is urging eligible veterans, military personnel and their beneficiaries to apply for retroactive supplemental pay as soon as possible because the new deadline – April 8 – is approaching.

Thousands of veterans who involuntarily had their service extended on active duty between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible to apply for retroactive supplemental payments, or “stop-loss pay.” Stop loss refers to the practice of the military forcing troops to serve beyond their separation date.

“I urge our veterans, military and their families, who so bravely served our country, to take advantage of this deadline extension and apply by April 8 for the pay rightfully owed to them. Having their service involuntarily extended was a significant disruption in their lives,” Castor said. “If your service was involuntarily extended during this time, you are entitled to this $500 a month extra payment, so please apply.”

Throughout the past several months, Castor has called on the community to spread the word about stop-loss pay so that military personnel and veterans receive the benefits they are due. Unfortunately, she said, many service members and veterans have missed letters informing them about the retroactive pay, or they have thought the letters were a scam. Castor has reassured veterans this is not a scam.

Those who served under stop loss must submit a claim. More information about eligibility can be found at http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/Retroactive_Stop_Loss_Pay_RSLSP.asp.  If veterans have any questions or need help sorting through the process, Castor encourages them to call her office at 813-871-2817.