Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Reminded to Apply for Bonus Program
ANNVILLE, Pa., Feb. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eligible veterans who served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations from Aug. 2, 1990 to Aug. 31, 1991, have six months to collect a special one-time payment to honor their service and sacrifice. Applications for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Bonus are due by Aug. 31, 2018.
The bonus program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), 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.
"Our hope is that every veteran eligible for this well-deserved bonus takes the time to apply by the August 31 deadline, which is quickly approaching," said Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the DMVA. "Thousands of veterans have earned this bonus with their bravery and personal sacrifice serving away from home in hostile foreign land. This bonus is one more way to say 'thank you' for so selflessly preserving our freedom."
To be eligible for the bonus, a 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 to Aug. 31, 1991
- 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
Since 2008, about 9,500 Persian Gulf Conflict veterans have applied for and received a bonus for their war efforts. Individuals who received a bonus or similar compensation from any other state are not eligible for the Pennsylvania program.
"We encourage everyone who feels they meet the criteria for this bonus to contact the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and let us serve you by walking you through the application process," said Carrelli. "Six months from now, we want to be able to say that every Persian Gulf veteran who earned this bonus, received this bonus."
For detailed instructions on how to apply, visit www.persiangulfbonus.pa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Joseph Butera, 717-861-2178
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
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