The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides a bonus to veterans of certain designated campaigns who were domiciled in Massachusetts immediately prior to entry in the armed forces. In case of the death of a veteran, the spouse and children, mother or father, brother or sister or other dependents of the deceased veteran (in that order) are eligible for a bonus.
For more information, or for assistance in applying for this benefit, please contact the Veterans Services Department or visit the Commonwealth's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
World War II veterans are eligible for a bonus according to the following stipulations:
- Those veterans who performed one day to six months’ active service are eligible for a $100 bonus
- Those veterans who performed six months’ or more stateside service are eligible for a $200 bonus
- Those veterans who performed foreign service are eligible for a $300 bonus.
Korean veterans (see Definitions section) are eligible for a bonus according to the following stipulations:
- Those veterans who performed 90 days stateside duty are eligible for a $100 bonus.
- Those veterans who performed six months’ or more duty are eligible for a $200 bonus.
- Those veterans who served one or more days outside of the continental limits of the United States or performed foreign service are eligible for a $300 bonus.
Vietnam veterans who performed six months’ active duty from July 1, 1958, and prior to May 17, 1975, are eligible for a bonus according to the following stipulations:
- Those veterans who served six months’ or more active duty are eligible for a $200 bonus
- Those veterans who served on duty in Vietnam are eligible for a $300 bonus.
Persian Gulf veterans who performed 30 days or more during the period of August 2, 1990 to April 10, 1991, and whose service was under honorable conditions are eligible for a bonus according to the following stipulations:
- Those veterans who performed active service in the Persian Gulf area (war zone or contiguous waters) and who are in receipt of the Southwest Asia Service Medal established by executive order of the President on March 13, 1991, are eligible for a $500 bonus
- Those veterans who were called to active service in support of said war including as members of the Army National Guard or Air National Guard or as Reservists in the armed forces of the United States in an area other than the Persian Gulf are eligible for a $300 bonus.
Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Noble Eagle veterans who were discharged under honorable conditions are eligible for a bonus. The applicant must have lived in the Commonwealth for six months prior to entry into such military service.
- Those veterans who performed active service outside the continental limits of the United States in the Afghanistan or Iraq area as those areas as described by the proper federal authority are eligible for a $1,000 bonus.
- Those veterans who performed active duty within the continental limits of the United States or outside the continental limits of the United States other than in the Afghanistan or Iraq areas for a period of six months or more are eligible for a $500 bonus.