Ohio veterans encouraged to apply for service bonus

FAIRBORN — Only 10 percent of an estimated 200,000 Ohio veterans eligible for a special service bonus have applied so far, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray said Monday.

The bonus, approved by voters in November 2009 as Issue 1, provides $100 per month of active-duty service for veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq wars, up to a total of $1,000. Active-duty veterans who served elsewhere during those wars can receive half that amount. Veterans of multiple wars can receive as much as $1,500.

Cordray, who pushed to get the bonus on the ballot, said, “we are intent on trying to avoid” the fate of a similar program for Vietnam veterans, which failed to draw many applicants. Service bonuses also were offered to veterans of World Wars I and II and the Korean War.

Notarized applications must be filed with the Ohio Department of Veterans Services. Applicants will be “in the system” so they can be advised of other veteran benefits, Cordray said.

For applications and further information, contact the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, 77 S. High St., 17th floor, Columbus, OH 43215, visit www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov or phone the department at 1-877-OHIOVET.

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Tom Beyerlein