Ohio veterans who served in Iraq have until Dec. 31 to apply for tax-free bonuses a thank-you from Ohio voters.
At the end of the year, bonuses will expire for veterans who served in Iraq between March 19, 2003, and Dec. 31, 2011. Bonuses will still be offered for veterans and active service members who served in Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world since Oct. 7, 2001.
Bonuses are awarded to veterans and active service members who were residents of Ohio at the time of their entry into the military and are Ohio residents at the time they apply for bonuses.
Veterans must have served more than 90 days active duty not for training during the periods of conflict, according to the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.
The bonus pays $100 a month to veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, up to a maximum of $1,000. Veterans who served elsewhere in the world may receive $50 a month up to $500.
Relatives of veterans killed in action or by disease as a result of their in-country service can receive $5,000 plus the bonus the veteran was eligible for, up to $6,500. The bonuses, which were approved by Ohio taxpayers, are not subject to state or federal taxes.
Through Nov. 30, the Ohio Veterans Bonus program has approved 85,000 applications worth more than $68.8 million. Veterans from previous conflicts are no longer eligible for the funds.
To request an application, call 877-644-6838, option 2, or visit veteransbonus.ohio.gov. People also may contact a local veterans service office.
