Minnesota veterans, families can apply for service bonus money starting Thursday
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 11: Soldiers from Ft. Lee, Virginia help mark Veterans Day ceremonies at the World War II Memorial November 11, 2011, in Washington, DC. Veterans Day in the United States honors those who have served in the nation's military (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota veterans or veteran's families who served during the Global War on Terrorism can now apply for hundreds of dollars in post-9/11 veteran service bonuses from the state.
A new law, signed by Gov. Tim Walz in May includes $25 million for service bonuses to post-9/11-era veterans and Gold Star Families, ranging from $600 to $2,000. To be eligible, veterans or members currently serving in the military must have served sometime between Sept. 11, 2001, and Aug. 30, 2021.
Veterans or their beneficiaries can apply online starting Thursday for the service bonus. The application period is open until June 30, 2024, unless funds have been exhausted prior to then.
"Our team will begin to process the applications immediately," said Dave Bellefeuille, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), director of Veterans Employment and Higher Education. "To reduce processing time and support a quick and smooth application process, applicants should be sure to complete the entire application and include all supporting documentation."
There are three payment tiers:
- $600 if the veteran or current military member provided honorable service in federal service between Sept. 11, 2001, and Aug. 30, 2021, and was not awarded any of the following medals: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
- $1,200 if the veteran or current military member was in service during the aforementioned dates and was awarded one of the following medals: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
- $2,000 for the beneficiary of a veteran who served and died between Sept. 11, 2001, and Aug. 30, 2021, as a result of a service-connected injury, disease or condition and was eligible for one of the following medals: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
"The State of Minnesota has a long history of awarding service bonuses to Minnesota veterans who served in America’s wars," said MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke. "Starting in 1919 after World War I, through World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, and now the Global War on Terrorism. MDVA recognizes the sacrifices and courage Minnesotans took to defend our country."
MDVA will facilitate the application and bonus payment process, which was included in the Veterans Omnibus Bill that was approved during the 2022 Minnesota Legislature. It marked the first comprehensive bill for veterans in recent memory, a news release said.
"Our service members and their families make incredible sacrifices to preserve the safety and freedom of our state, nation, and world," said Governor Tim Walz. "This bonus recognizes the service and sacrifices of our heroes who answered the call to protect all of us."
According to a news release, applicants for the service bonus pay will receive email updates throughout the process and will receive an email communication when their payment is issued. Applicants can also log into the application portal to check their application status.
Anyone with questions or for more information on veterans service bonus pay can call 1-888-LinkVet or contact their county veterans service officer.