Senator Carper urges eligible service members, veterans and beneficiaries of service members from Delaware whose service was extended under stop loss orders in Iraq and Afghanistan to claim Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay they have earned. In order to receive Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay, those who quality must submit a claim to their respective military service before the October 21, 2011 deadline.

Senator Carper voted for the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act which set aside $534.4 million for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay. Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay was established to compensate military members who service was involuntarily extended or whose retirement was suspended between September 11, 2011 and September 30, 2009. The benefit is worth $500 for each full or partial month served in stop loss status. The average benefit is $3,700.

Congress extended the deadline to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay as part of Continuing Resolution H.R. 1473, legislation to fund the government through October 21, 2011, which President Obama signed on April 15, 2011.