To be eligible for a bonus
The veteran must have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions.
The veteran remains on active-duty service.
After active-duty service, the veteran remains in any reserve component of the armed forces, including Ohio National Guard.
HAMILTON — The Butler County Veterans Service Commission will have office hours from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 11, for veterans to apply for a state bonus program.
Last month, Gov. Ted Strickland announced the Ohio Veterans Bonus program, which will pay eligible veterans a bonus for service.
Butler County Veterans Service Commission senior service officer Tony Johnson said veterans should access the commission Saturday through the Veterans Street door off High Street.
“We’re solely going to run veterans in and out to file for the bonus,” Johnson said. “Hopefully we have a lobby full of people.”
Ohio Department of Veterans Services Director Bill Hartnett said veterans must be Ohio residents, and residents when they were called to active duty to qualify.
Eligible veterans may receive $100 for each month of active duty service (up to $1,000) for the following:
Persian Gulf: Between Aug. 2, 1990, and March 3, 1991. Eligible veterans can apply for a bonus until Dec. 31, 2013.
Afghanistan: Since Oct. 7, 2001. Eligible veterans can apply for a bonus for up to three years after the president declares an end to U.S. involvement in Afghanistan.
Iraq: Since March 19, 2003. Eligible veterans can apply for a bonus for up to three years after the president declares an end to U.S. involvement in Iraq.
Eligible veterans serving on active duty (except active duty for training) anywhere else in the world during the specified dates, may receive $50 a month up to a maximum bonus of $500.
Eligible veterans may combine service bonuses for a maximum of $1,500.
Johnson said veterans should bring Form DD214 (discharge papers and separation documents) and a driver’s license.
Butler County Veterans Service Commission Executive Director Curt McPherson said anyone who comes to the office before the noon closing time will be assisted.
For more information, call (513) 887-3600.