The Iowa Vietnam Conflict Veterans Bonus became effective as of July 12, 2007 and is for individuals who served active duty for a minimum of 120 days in the armed forces of the United States between July 1, 1973 and May 31, 1975 who were also legal residents of the state of Iowa for a minimum of six months prior to beginning their active duty service. There are two levels of compensation under the Iowa Vietnam Conflict Veterans Bonus; one level for individuals serving at least part of active duty in Vietnam service area and another level of compensation for those who did not.
Iowa Vietnam Conflict Military Veterans Bonus
Eligibility Requirements for Iowa Vietnam Conflict Veterans Bonus
To be eligible for the Iowa Vietnam Conflict Veterans Bonus, a veteran must have served on active duty for a minimum of 120 days in the United States armed forces between the dates of July 1, 1972 and May 31, 1975. The veteran must have also been a legal resident of the state of Iowa for at least six months prior to entering active duty service.
The veteran must have been honorably discharged or separated from active duty service, be retired, still in active service in honorable status, or has been furloughed to a reserve during the dates between July 1, 1972 and May 31, 1975.
A veteran who has earned a Vietnam service medal or armed forces expeditionary medal in Vietnam can use the medal to establish their eligibility for active service during the time period required for the Iowa Vietnam Conflict Veterans Bonus.
Compensation Under Iowa Vietnam Conflict Veterans Bonus
Bonus for service in the Vietnam service area. Individuals meeting eligibility requirements will receive $17.50 for each month the person was in active duty service in the Vietnam service area.
Bonus for service outside the Vietnam service area. Eligible individuals will receive $12.50 for each month the person was in active duty during specified dates but not in the Vietnam service area.
If you served six months in Vietnam and six months outside the Vietnam service area, your compensation would be $17.50 x 6 = $105; and $12.50 x 6 = $75 for a total compensation payment of $180.
Maximum compensation must not exceed $500.
Compensation for partial months is awarded for days served over 16 in a month, and the fractional month of service is computed as a full month of service, therefore receiving the full $17.50 or $12.50 – depending where you served during that month.
Compensation is provided to surviving widows or children or parents of deceased veterans meeting eligibility requirements for the Iowa Vietnam Conflict Veterans Bonus.
Any compensation received under this bonus will not be subject to income tax.
How to Apply for the Iowa Vietnam Conflict Veterans Bonus
If you feel you are eligible for the Iowa Vietnam Conflict Veterans Bonus, fill out the application here: https://va.iowa.gov/images/VCVBApp.pdf. All applications must include the veteran’s DD 214, military discharge paperwork and proof of residency. Here is information regarding how to replace your DD Form 214 if you have lost yours.
Comments
I am interested in applying for the Iowa Veterans Bonus program but would like your office to verify that a previous application was not submitted. I enlisted in the Air Force in Des Moines in 1966 and served on active duty until 2008.
Dennis, you will need to visit the official Iowa veterans benefits page for more information. Thanks for your service!