Time running out on Ohio bonus for Iraq veterans

CLEVELAND, Ohio: Ohio veterans who served in Iraq from 2003-2011 have until Dec. 31 to apply for the Ohio Veterans Bonus.

by Arnaldo Rodgers

The bonus, which is not subject to state or federal income taxes, pays $100 a month up to a maximum of $1,000, for veterans who served in Iraq from March 19, 2003 through Dec. 31, 2011. For Ohio vets who served elsewhere during that eight-year time period, the payment is $50 a month, up to a maximum of $500.

Veterans medically discharged due to injuries received in Iraq can receive $1,000, plus up to $500 for service elsewhere.

Family members of Ohio veterans killed in action, or who died from disease on deployment, can receive a bonus of $5,000, plus whatever the service member may have been eligible for, up to a total of $6,500.

Elgible veterans must have been Ohio residents at the time of their entry into the service, and state residents at the time they apply. Service of more than 90 days active duty (not for training) anywhere abroad, is also a requirement of the bonus.

The bonus program, approved by Ohio voters in 2009, is administered by the Ohio Department of Veterans Services. Through October, some 84,453 applicants have received more than $68.3 million in bonus payments.

Iraq veterans represented 24,091 of bonus recipients.

The bonus will continue to be awarded to Ohio veterans who served in Afghanistan, or anywhere else in the world, since Oct. 7, 2001. The Afghanistan bonus will continue through a date to be determined by the President.

Bonus applications can be requested by calling toll-free 1-877-644-6838 (choose option two), visiting the web site  ww.veteransbonus.ohio.gov, or visiting any county veterans service office (for locations see www.dvs.ohio.gov.)