An estimated 200,000 Ohio veterans who served during the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars can now begin applying for one-time bonuses from the state.
Similar to the bonuses the state has offered for service during past wars and conflicts, Ohio will spend up to $200 million on the one-time payments, which were approved by voters in November.
Veterans are eligible to receive $100 for each month of service in any of the three wars, up to $1,000. Those who served elsewhere could get $50 monthly, up to $500, while family members of veterans who died during the recent conflicts are eligible for a payment up to $6,500.
Applications are available online at
www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov, at any of Ohio's 88 county Veterans Services offices, or by calling 1-877-OHIO-VET. Applications must be filled out, notarized and sent in with the proper documentation to the following address: Ohio Veterans Bonus, P.O. Box 373, Sandusky, OH 44871.
"Of course, no amount of compensation is adequate to reward the sacrifices they've made on our behalf," Gov. Ted Strickland said today. "But these checks will help, perhaps, make a mortgage payment, put food on the table or start a savings account. And these payments will say something clearly and directly to our veterans: thank you."
Bill Hartnett, director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, said checks will be sent within eight weeks of the receipt of an application.
