Army Soldiers In Indiana Forced To Wait For Other States' Leftover Disability Money (VIDEO)

When Dustin Boyce tried to chase down a disability check that never came this month, he was simply told he'd eventually get paid.

Boyce is one of 20 soldiers in Indiana who has not received his in-cap (incapacitation) check this month, according to WLFI. He suffers from nerve damage and chronic pain from an injury he sustained during a training exercise in 2003.

Boyce tells WLFI that he relies on the disability checks as income.

"That's what we count on for all of our bills and that's our money to live off of month to month."

Col. Lee Baker, director of Army personnel for the Indiana Army National Guard, said possible reasons payment wasn't sent could be the delay in approving the federal budget or the difficulty in budgeting for the in-cap fund.

"It's hard to come up with an exact number. We kind of are guessing on how many soldiers we think are going to be injured and who will need to draw from this fund."

He also said some states use in-cap money faster than others and that Indiana soldiers who receive the funds will have to wait for leftovers from others states after they're audited.

Baker said he was told that this month's checks would go out July 8 or July 10 at the earliest but that the Guard is working to get them out sooner.

WATCH:

Soldier waits for disability payment: wlfi.com

Comments

[dsweet1171]

11:26 AM on 06/21/2011

As a disabled veteran myself, I know what the Gov and the VA is capable of and how they can lack in certain areas. I feel for this man an others in this situation... Never give up your fight and keep the faith! I have been fighting with the VA for years!!! It will be worth it in the end...
It is good to start with your Chain of Command, but dont stop there. Get Senators and Congress involved also. We are ALL behind you. Believe it or not, Senator McCain went to bat for me in a big way when I was AZ Guard / Active Duty.

Stay strong!

With greatest respect.

[JenniferAllen8319]

01:25 AM on 06/20/2011

What more can you expect from a government that sends its soldiers to meaningless wars! Thoughtless and thankless!

[Koeiseun]

08:13 PM on 06/20/2011

Well said, Jennifer!

[karela]

10:20 PM on 06/19/2011

Now, THAT really stinks! How would it be if the soldiers showed up late for the war?

[dsweet1171]

11:21 AM on 06/21/2011

AWESOME POST!

[hoodwinked]

02:13 PM on 06/19/2011

Put this on the nightly news and watch how fast the American people react.

[Opinionated1111]

08:22 PM on 06/18/2011

Meant to say....
WHAT IS WRONG WITH - OUR.............GOVERNMENT......

[Opinionated1111]

08:21 PM on 06/18/2011

WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUT GOVERNMENT -

TAKE 10% OF CONGRESSIONAL SALARIES AND PAY OUR VETERANS....

THIS IS DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!

And as far as Congress - they don't give a damn about anything except themselves.......

[nofriendofrepublicans]

08:06 PM on 06/18/2011

Maybe we can get the war profiteers to chip in, nah.

[booker52]

02:47 PM on 06/18/2011

So sad, this just shouldn't happen at all, what a disgrace.

[1frank]

12:14 PM on 06/18/2011

American Soldier might want to stage a sick call day and let see if the peoples that send them to war will be willing to do it .

[1frank]

12:12 PM on 06/18/2011

Did you remember all these fearless Senatiors , conmgressmen {women} making all these braves statements before and at the begining of the war , do you remember that video showing the cafeteria on board of the Aircraft carrier showing piles of lobsters. That was all propaganda aiming at steering nationmal interest , now ten opf thousands came back crippled for life , some with broken fanmilies and no house to leave in , thousand never came back.

Washington it is time to pay up if you can bail out the banks and the car makers maybe you can spare a dime for those who gave up everything for this Country and fake war.

[cbrown1389]

09:31 PM on 06/17/2011

as some in the senate defeat the bill to end the $20 billion going to Big Oil.......disgraceful!!!

[TWeissMA]

06:50 PM on 06/17/2011

Surely there is a Congressman who would donate his pay for the year to ensure that Veterans with Disabilities who have sacrificed so much have the funding they need to survive?

Congressional Representatives? Anyone? Speak up now!

[bobmarshallnyc]

08:21 PM on 06/17/2011

Sorry to say, don't hold your breath. Members of Congress have long espoused "I've got mine; you get yours (somewhere else)." It's all about priorities. Veterans don't line their pockets, Lobbyists do. Shame!

[Red45]

09:15 PM on 06/17/2011

The silence is deafening. F+F

[TheSarge]

04:06 PM on 06/17/2011

I lost the use of my left lower leg and all the hearing in my left ear, when I retired DFAS messed up something in regards to my direct deposit and I went through my savings in a year. All is well now but I know where these guys are hurting and why.

[goodmarina]

02:28 PM on 06/17/2011

where are those voice of the brave politicians who fearlessly wore a lapel flag and touted their patriotism ..

where are those voices that talked about freedom & democracy -- that had no trouble sending our men & women to harms-way?

anyone who voted for these wars should invite a disabled soldier who is awaiting their disability pay to come and live with their families while working non-stop until the matter is resolved .... that's how you put your money where your mouth is.

[PlayTOE]

07:49 PM on 06/17/2011

If you are talking about the Republicans who started the Iraq war under a false pretext ... They are now trying to destroy the AAA credit rating of your country while trying to deprive your grandma of her health care and pension funds, and trying to stop your wife from getting access to family planning. Your check for military disability is just collateral damage ...

[cbrown1389]

09:33 PM on 06/17/2011

but man they pay Big Oil with $20 billion of our tax dollars......

[whoknew42]

10:42 PM on 06/19/2011

fanned