Ohio military members and Veterans may be eligible for bonus

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COLUMBUS, Ohio --  Veteran or those currently serving in the U.S. armed forces may be eligible for the Ohio Veterans Bonus. The bonus is a monetary award to veterans of recent wars that continues Ohio's tradition of rewarding veterans that dates back to the Civil War.

According to the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, the eligibility criteria for Ohio Veterans Bonus include veterans and members who:

· Served greater than 90 days on active duty in the U.S. armed forces, excluding dates for training, during the specified periods;

· Separated from the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions, OR, be currently serving on active duty, in the reserves or National Guard,

· Served in the Persian Gulf or elsewhere from Aug 2, 1990 through Mar 3, 1991;

· Served in Afghanistan or elsewhere from Oct 7, 2001 through a date to be determined by President;

· Served in Iraq or elsewhere from Mar 19, 2003 through a date to be determined by President;

· Was an Ohio resident at the time of entry into the service;

· Is currently an Ohio resident;

· Did not receive a bonus or compensation of a similar nature from another state.

Qualifying individuals may receive $100 per month, not to exceed $1,000, for service in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan or Iraq during the specified periods, or $50 per month, not to exceed $500, for service elsewhere in the world during the compensable periods. Service for a fraction of a month will be paid at the rate of 1/30 of the appropriate monthly amount for each day of service. The bonus may not exceed $1,500 for combined service. Veterans who suffered injuries or illness, as well as family members of those servicemembers who died from injury or illness, may also be eligible for the bonus.

For more information or to apply, call toll-free to 1-877-OHIO VET (1-877-644-6838) option 2, visit www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov, or visit any county veterans service office. The Ohio Department of Veterans Services has an interactive map of county offices.

Ohio veterans of all eras have earned a number of federal and state benefits. You may qualify for a number of other benefits ranging from health care, compensation for injuries and illness, home loans and education to direct financial assistance, special license plates and the Ohio Veterans Homes. Please visit your county veterans service office and find out what you're eligible for. For more information, call 1-877-OHIO VET (1-877-644-6838), or visit www.dvs.ohio.gov.