If you or a loved one is an Iraq or Afghanistan war vet, you have until December 18 to claim the money that’s coming to you:

The DoD Web site (http://www.defense.gov/stoploss) links to service-specific sites, where you can get more information, or begin the RSLSP claim process.

The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act established Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP), providing $500 for each month/partial month served in stop loss status.  Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of service members whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for RSLSP. 

To receive this benefit, those who served under stop loss must submit a claim for the special pay (by Dec 18, 2010).  Throughout the year, the services have been reaching out to service members, veterans and their families through direct mail, veteran service organizations, and the media.  But there is still money left to be claimed, and the deadline is approaching. 

The average benefit is $3,700.

Do it NOW. The deadline is December 18.