Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) is reminding Pennsylvania veterans who served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations, including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, to apply for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Bonus.
The deadline to apply for this one-time payment is Aug. 31.
The bonus 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.
In each case, the 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, until Aug. 31, 1991, and 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.
- Received the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
Individuals who received a bonus or similar compensation from any other state are not eligible for the Pennsylvania program.
Baker said nearly 11,000 Persian Gulf veterans have applied for the one-time cash bonus program since the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) began accepting applications in 2008. The DMVA is encouraging veterans who were previously denied the bonus to reapply to have their claims reviewed again.
CONTACT:
Andrew Seder — (570) 226-5960