Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) announced changes to veteran education benefits, which became law as part of the Forever GI Bill, will go into effect tomorrow, August 1, 2018. The Forever GI Bill also included a provision written by Rep. Peters to make all Purple Heart recipients eligible for full education benefits, regardless of how long they served active-duty.

“One of Congress’s most important jobs is to ensure veterans can access the benefits they have earned. Tomorrow, we keep that promise by implementing the Forever GI Bill. This includes my provision that gives service members and veterans awarded the Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001 full education benefits for up to 36 months. As a member of the Veterans’ Affairs committee, I will continue to advocate for veterans’ needs in San Diego and beyond,” said Rep. Peters. Approximately 3,000 Purple Heart veterans will now be able to access their full benefits.

Other provisions that will go live on August 1, 2018 include:

• Eligibility for reservists to use post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
• Adjustment to monthly housing allowance
• Development of pilot programs for high-tech skill education

Additional information about implementation of the Forever GI Bill can be found here. Veterans in need of VA educational assistance following changes to GI Bill benefits can contact Rep. Peters’ San Diego office by calling 858-455-5550. Applications for VA benefits can be found here.