Transfering Benefits
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002, which was enacted December 28, 2001, contains authorization for SOME members to transfer a part of their ADMGIB benefits to their dependents. Each of the services are allowed to designate critical skills (jobs), where military members with more than six years of service (who agree to reenlist/extend for an additional four years) can transfer up to 18 months of their benefits to their dependents (spouse and/or children). However, to date, none of the services have designated any jobs to be eligible for this provision. So, as it stands at this time, this is a provision that is not in use by any of the services.
Exception: Beginning in 2006, the Army is allowing some active duty soldiers to transfer a portion of their benefits to their spouses, under a special Army test-program. See related article.
Submitting an Application for Benefits
You can get and submit the application (VA Form 22-1990) in several ways:
- You can complete and submit the application on-line. Just go to www.gibill.va.gov and click on "Electronic Application Form."
- You can also print out the form from the above site and mail it to the VA regional office that processes your claim.
- Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) and request the form. (Unfortunately, you may have difficulty getting through quickly at the toll-free number, especially when school enrollments are heavy. You may have more success by going to the Internet site).
- You may also be able to pick up the application from the school or training facility you’re attending. Most schools have counselors that will help you complete the application form.
Applying for Benefits
If you’ve decided on the program you want to take, follow these steps to apply for benefits:
FIRST, check in with the school or training facility official who certifies enrollments for VA benefits.
At a school, this official may be in one of the following offices: Financial Aid, Veterans Affairs, Registrar, Admissions, Counseling, or other office. For OJT or an apprenticeship, the official may be in the Training, Finance, Personnel, or other office.
Note: The certifying official isn’t a VA employee.
The official can tell you whether the program you want to take is approved for VA benefits. If the program is approved, the official must submit your enrollment information to VA.
SECOND, complete the application package for VA benefits and send it to the appropriate VA regional office.
Note: The certifying official may help you with this step. Many facilities will send the application package for you, including your application and certification of your enrollment. It’s a good idea because you may avoid delay in getting your benefits started if VA receives everything needed at the same time. The package consists of:
- Your completed VA Form 22-1990, Application for VA Education Benefits. If you’re on active duty, you must have your base Education Service Officer certify your application by signing in the appropriate block.
- Certification of your enrollment. The school or training official who certifies enrollments must send this information to VA. If you haven’t decided on the program you want to take, or simply want a determination of your eligibility for MGIB, just send the application (VA Form 22-1990). If you’re eligible, you’ll receive a Certificate of Eligibility showing how long you’re eligible and how many months of benefits you can receive.
