CLEARFIELD – A one-time lump sum “Persian Gulf Bonus” payment is available to eligible Pennsylvania veterans.
According to Veterans Affairs Director Betina Nicklas, eligible veterans include current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces; a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces; or the Pennsylvania National Guard.
She said veterans are eligible if they:
- served from Aug. 2, 1990 to Aug. 31, 1991, within the program designated Persian Gulf Conflict Theater of Operations.
- were a legal resident of Pennsylvania.
- received the Southwest Asia Service Medal for active service during the period of time from Aug. 2, 1990 to Aug. 31, 1991.
- were discharged from active duty under honorable conditions, if not currently on active duty.
Nicklas said in some cases, surviving relatives of deceased veterans may receive the “bonus” payment on behalf of eligible veterans. The program expires Aug. 31.
For more information, please call 1-866-458-9182, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Also, you can visit online at the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Web site: www.dmva.pa.gov.
To reach by mail, please send to: Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Benefit Program, Building S-0-47, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003-5002.
Additionally, Nicklas said that Camp LeJeune program benefits are available to veterans and families for health and disabilities.
In the 1980’s, contaminants were found in several wells that provided drinking water at Camp LeJeune, NC. It’s estimated they were in the water supply from the mid-1950’s until February of 1985 when the wells were shut down.
According to Nicklas, veterans, National Guard and reserve members and their relatives who lived on the base for at least 30 days (cumulative) between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987 are eligible.
Those eligible must have later developed one or more of the following eight conditions:
- Adult leukemia.
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes.
- Bladder cancer.
- Kidney cancer.
- Liver cancer.
- Multiple myeloma.
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Parkinson’s disease.
For more information or questions, please contact the county’s Veterans Affairs Office.
