Military Veterans Bonuses By State
State military veterans bonus for serving during a time of war: Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, & West Virginia.
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You’ve likely heard of veterans benefits at the state level. While many of them touch on taxes veterans have to pay on things like military retirement pay, or property taxes, there are some states that also offer a cash bonus for military service. However, not all states offer a veterans bonus, and each state sets specific eligibility requirements.
For example, most states require the veteran was a legal state resident at the time they joined the military. Some states require the veteran was a resident for a certain amount of time before joining the military. Other requirements include serving during specific dates or during specific conflicts, or having a military discharge rating above a set level (for example, some states do not offer a bonus to a veteran with a dishonorable discharge).
So let’s look at which states offer bonuses, the amount of the bonus, the eligibility requirements for those bonuses, and how to apply.
Military Veterans Bonuses Listed By State
The following states have a military veterans bonus:
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- South Dakota
- West Virginia
Illinois Military Veterans Bonus
The State of Illinois is offers several types of cash bonuses to veterans of the United States Armed Forces depending on the veteran’s dates of service.
Illinois Veterans Bonus
| Veteran Service | Bonus Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| World War II | $10/month served domestically $15/month served on foreign soilOne time $1,000 (survivors of veterans who died from service-related reasons during eligible time period) | Residents of Illinois at the time of entering serviceServed at least 60 days on active duty between Sept. 16, 1940 and September 3, 1945Received honorable discharge |
| Korean Conflict | One time $100 bonus is payable | Resident of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering serviceServed between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1953Received Korean Service MedalHonorable Discharge |
| Vietnam Conflict / Vietnam Frequent Wind | One time $100 bonusOne time $1,000 (survivors of veterans who died from service-related reasons during eligible time period, or due to exposure to herbicide commonly known as Agent Orange) | Resident of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering serviceServed in Vietnam from January 1, 1961 to March 28, 1973Served in Vietnam Frequent Wind from April 29, 30, 1975. |
| Persian Gulf Conflict | One time $100 bonus | Resident of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering serviceServed between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995. Received the Southwest Asia Service MedalHonorable Discharge |
| Global War on Terrorism (Operation Iraq Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation New Dawn) | One time $100 bonusOne time $1,000 (survivors of veterans killed in battle or by terrorist activities while performing military duties) | Residents of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering serviceServed on or after September 11, 2001Served at least 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days of foreignRecipent of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal |
POW Compensation: Persons on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States or employed by the United States Government on, or after, January 1, 1961, who were residents of Illinois 12 months prior to entry, and who were taken and held prisoner by hostile forces in Southwest Asia, are entitled to $50 for each month or portion thereof while being held captive.
Applying for the Illinois Military Veterans Bonus
To begin the application process, click the application link on the Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs website. Upon completion, you’ll need to mail the application and a photocopy of your separation or discharge documents to:
PO Box 19432
833 South Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62794-9432.
Massachusetts Military Veterans Bonuses
Massachusetts veterans bonuses are a little more unique, where there are several different payment amounts.
Massachusetts Veterans Bonus
| Veteran Service | Bonus Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| World War II | $100 bonus $200 bonus$300 bonus | ($100) for veterans who served in active duty from one day to six months($200) for veterans who performed stateside service for 6+ months($300) for veterans who performed foreign service |
| Korean Conflict | $100 bonus$200 bonus$300 bonus | ($100) for veterans who served for 90 days stateside($200) for veterans who performed service for 6+ months($300) for any veterans who served one or more days outside the continental U.S. |
| Vietnam Conflict | $200 bonus$300 bonus | ($200) for veterans who served on active duty between July 1, 1958 – May 16, 1975 for at least six months($300) for veterans who served on active duty in Vietnam |
| Persian Gulf Conflict | $300 bonus$500 bonus | Veterans who served between August 2, 1990 and April 10, 1991. ($300) 30 or more days of active duty service($500) Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal |
| Welcome Home Bonus (Post 9/11) | $500 bonus$1,000 bonus | Veterans who resided in Massachusetts for at least six months before joining the military($500) Veterans who served stateside or outside the continental U.S. on active duty for 6+ months($1,000) Veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan |
*The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides these bonuses to veterans or in the case of a deceased veteran, their surviving spouse, children, parents, siblings or other dependents who would also be eligible to receive the bonus. Surviving family members would be granted the eligible bonus in the order which they appeared above.
Note: Veterans who have received a dishonorable discharge or those that do not meet the requirements above will not be eligible to receive the specified bonus. If the veteran is ineligible, surviving beneficiaries would also be ineligible.
Applying for the Massachusetts Military Veterans Bonus
For veterans or surviving relatives interested in claiming a Massachusetts Veterans Bonus, applications are available online on the state’s website.
Contact number for the World War II Bonus: 617-367-3900, ext 308
Contact number for the Korean War Bonus or Vietnam War Bonus: 617-367-3900, ext 208 Contact number for the Welcome Home Bonus: 617-367-9333, ext 350
For Persian Gulf veterans only:
Veterans’ Bonus Division, Department of Veterans’ Services
600 Washington Street, Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 210-5927
www.mass.gov/veterans
Email: [email protected]
Applicants and their relatives may be required to provide proof of residency or next of kin documentation or certain service records to prove eligibility.
Approved applicants can expect to receive their benefits in roughly 4-6 weeks following all appropriate paperwork being submitted.
New Hampshire Military Veterans Bonus
New Hampshire offers veterans of the Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism a bonus if eligibility requirements are met. Bonuses for World War II and Korean Conflicts are expired.
New Hampshire Veterans Bonus
| Veteran Service | Bonus Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Conflict | $100 bonus | New Hampshire resident at time of enlistment/serviceHonorable dischargeServed on active duty for 90+ days between August 5, 1964 and August 15, 1973.Claims made after August 22, 1977 must be approved by the Adjutant General, the Governor and Executive Council. |
| Persian Gulf Conflict | $100 bonus | New Hampshire resident at time of enlistment/serviceHonorable DischargeServed between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995. Earned Southwest Asia Service Medal |
| Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) | $100 bonus | New Hampshire resident at time of enlistment/serviceHonorable dischargeServed on or after September 11, 2001Earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
Applying for the New Hampshire Military Veterans Bonus
To learn more about applying for the Veterans Bonuses, you can check out the state of New Hampshires’ website, or you can contact the State Office of Veterans Services for the state of New Hampshire via telephone at 603-624-9230, or by mail at:
275 Chestnut Street
Room 517
Manchester, NH 03101
South Dakota Military Veterans Bonus
South Dakota has established a program for members of the military who are legal residents of the state. However the program does not address conflicts before the Persian Gulf conflict.
South Dakota Veterans Bonus
| Veteran Service | Bonus Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Persian Gulf conflict | $500 bonus | South Dakota resident no less than six months before serviceHonorable dischargeServed from August 2, 1990 – March 31, 1991 |
| Southwest Asia Service Medal | $500 bonus | South Dakota resident no less than six months before serviceHonorable dischargeServed from March 4, 1991 – December 31, 1992 in a hostile area that qualifies for Southwest Asia Service Medal |
| Other U.S. conflict operations | $500 bonus | South Dakota resident no less than six months before serviceHonorable dischargeServed from January 1, 1993 – September 10, 2001 in a hostile area which qualified for any US campaign or service medal awarded for combat operations against hostile forces |
| Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) | $500 bonus | South Dakota resident no less than six months before serviceHonorable dischargeServed any active duty after September 11, 2001 |
Note: Any Veteran with qualifying service before December 31, 1992, during Desert Storm and after January 1, 1993, during Operation Iraqi Freedom may be entitled to receive two separate $500 bonus payments.
Veterans who have a service-related disability rated by the Veterans Administration as 10% or more disability will receive the maximum payment of $500. Verification of disability must be provided from the VA along with the application.
Applying for the South Dakota Veterans Bonus
Any servicemember interested in applying for the South Dakota Veterans Bonus must provide the branch of the military along with dates of service on a completed application. Certification of the application must be completed by local County or Tribal Veteran Service Officer. For applicants in other states, a certification must be completed by a Post Service Officer from one of the recognized Veterans Service organizations. All applications must be accompanied by a copy of your DD Form 214, which shows proof of military service.
Interested applicants can obtain an application online at the State website. Applicants living in South Dakota may request an application through the nearest County or Tribal Veterans Service Officer. See the official South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs for more information. Additionally, applications may be requested by calling 605-773-7251 or via mail:
SD Veterans Bonus
425 East Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501
West Virginia Military Veterans Bonus
The veterans bonus in West Virginia focuses on more recent conflicts.
West Virginia Veterans Bonus
| Veteran Service | Bonus Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Kosovo | $600 bonus$2,000 bonus for surviving dependents of servicemembers killed in action (KIA) | West Virginia resident for 6+ month prior to serviceHonorable DischargeReceived a campaign badge or expeditionary medal for service between November 20, 1995, and December 31, 2000 |
| Afghanistan Conflict | $400 bonus$600 bonus$2,000 bonus for surviving dependents of servicemembers killed in action (KIA) | West Virginia resident for 6+ month prior to serviceHonorable DischargeServed in Afghanistan from October 7, 2001 to an unspecified time |
| Iraq Conflict | $400 bonus$600 bonus$2,000 bonus for surviving dependents of servicemembers killed in action (KIA) | West Virginia resident for 6+ month prior to serviceHonorable DischargeServed in Iraq from March 19, 2003 to an unspecified date |
Applying for the West Virginia Veterans Bonus
A surviving spouse or children of a veteran KIA during these periods may request an application for the bonus by calling 1-888-838-2332 or e-mailing the state at [email protected]. Applications can be mailed to:
West Virginia Division of Veterans Affairs
1321 Plaza East
Suite 101
Charleston, WV 25301
Living veterans of each conflict must fill out forms that vary based on the area in which you served. For more information on which forms must be completed as well as any other documentation required to receive the West Virginia Veterans Bonus, please visit the West Virginia Division of Veteran’s Affairs for more information.
Be sure to include a copy of your DD Form 214 with your application. This form shows proof of military service, campaign medals, and other important information to prove your claim.
