Susan Gilman

Helping veterans and their families navigate the Veterans Affairs system is one of Jeff Merkley’s top priorities.

In the spring of 2017, Oregon constituent Susan Gilman had been unable to receive payments from the Survivors Benefits Plan (SBP) that had been arranged by her husband. She was scheduled to receive funds beginning in April, but when she contacted Jeff’s office on August 22, she still had yet to receive any payments. Ms. Gilman had submitted all of the required paperwork correctly to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) which manages SBP, but was still facing issues receiving her annuity. When she had called the DFAS, she was reassured that her paperwork was being processed and that she would begin to receive the annuity soon. Still, when she still was not receiving the annuity in August, she contacted DFAS again and learned that nothing had been done regarding her paperwork.

After learning the details of Ms. Gillman’s case, Jeff’s team was able to get in contact with DFAS. On September 4th, Ms. Gillman informed Jeff’s office that she finally began receiving payments, including payments dating back to April.

Jeff is happy to have had the opportunity to help Ms. Gillman, and other Oregonians, receive the VA benefits their families have earned.