Veteran education benefit checks to UA students are being delayed six to eight weeks, due to the federal budget crisis.

"A couple of people have come in the office in dire need because they are not receiving their checks on time," said Tim Lewis, work study supervisor in the University of Arizona Veterans Certification office.

"These people paid into an annuity program and now they are not receiving the benefits," Lewis said.

The delays were caused by the first week-long government shutdown in November and worsened when Congress laid off 230 of the 260 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Phoenix from Dec. 18 until Jan. 8.

Jerard Gessner, veteran service officer at the VA regional office, said the money appropriated to pay the veteran benefits has always been available, but the money to pay the employees and general operating expenses was not appropriated by Congress until last month.

Chris Paul, legislative assistant at Sen. John McCain's office in Washington, D.C., said, "Our understanding was that 'essential' people would be kept on board during the layoffs to ensure the (veterans') checks would be there."

McCain's office was told the spending measure Congress approved would allow the veteran benefit checks to be paid out, Paul said.

But Gessner said, "During this time period, the office was told to answer phones and take claims, but we were not authorized to process any of the claims."

"Anyone who says the furlough did not affect people is ignorant of the facts or lying," Lewis said.

The department's employees did not even know they would be paid for the time they were laid off until Congress appropriated the funds Jan. 10, Gessner said.

Since Congress approved the budget the VA regional office has resumed normal working status, but the current budget must be reapproved March 15.

However, Gessner said his Phoenix office is now four weeks behind because of the layoffs.

"We have no way of making up that time because we are not authorized to work any overtime," Gessner said.

Abram Lares, residency classification coordinator at the UA Office of the Registrar, said, "Students will start receiving their veterans benefit checks depending on how soon the office can catch up on the work load, which is six to eight weeks behind."

But Paul said, "The agencies should have closed the gap by now. I would be surprised if there was a six- to eight-week delay."

In the meantime, the Veterans Certification office has told students in need to get a loan from the financial aid office. Student Financial Aid loans up to $500 which must be paid back within 45 days.