HARRISBURG – The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs reminds Pennsylvania veterans that they have until Aug. 31, to apply for a special one-time payment to honor their service and sacrifice if they served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations from Aug. 2, 1990 – Aug. 31, 1991.
“With only six months left to apply, we are increasing our efforts to spread the word of this bonus to Pennsylvania’s veterans of Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm,” said Brig. Gen. Jerry Beck Jr., deputy adjutant general for veterans affairs.
“We also encourage any veteran who was previously denied for the bonus to reapply as we are doing our due diligence by reviewing all denials prior to the sunset of the program.”
New applications are required to reopen a claim.
Nearly 11,000 Persian Gulf veterans have applied for the one-time cash bonus program since the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs began accepting applications in 2008.
The bonus pays $75 per month for qualifying, active-duty service members, up to a$525 maximum. For personnel whose death was related to illness or injury received in the line of duty in Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm, there is an additional$5,000 available to the surviving family.
Service members who were declared prisoners of war may also be eligible for an additional $5,000.
In each case, the service member must have:
- Served with the U.S. Armed Forces, a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania National Guard.
- Served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during the period from Aug. 2, 1990 until Aug. 31, 1991, and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
- Been a legal resident of Pennsylvania at the time of active duty service.
- Been discharged from active duty under honorable conditions, if not currently on active duty.
- Received the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
“In order to ensure that every Persian Gulf War Veteran from Pennsylvania receives this well-deserved benefit we encourage everyone to help us spread the word,” Beck added.
Individuals who received a bonus or similar compensation from any other state are not eligible for the Pennsylvania program.
For detailed instructions on how to apply, visit www.persiangulfbonus.state.pa.us.