What other state veteran benefits are available?

Annuities 

Regardless of income, you can get a $2,000 annuity each year, payable in two installments of $1,000 each on August 1 and February 1 if you are one of the following:

• A veteran who has blindness, paraplegia, or a double amputation connected to military service; or
• A veteran who has a 100% VA rating; or
• A parent of a veteran who died because of a wartime or combat-related injury; or
• An un-remarried spouse of a veteran who died because of a wartime or combat-related injury

To apply: Submit an application directly to DVS. The deadlines are June 30^th for the August payment and December 31^st for the February payment of any given year. To get an application, call DVS at 617-210-5480, or you can download the application form online.

Annuity application form for a veteran.

Annuity application form for a parent of a veteran.

Annuity application form for spouse of a veteran.

Bonuses

Massachusetts gives bonuses to some veterans who served during certain periods of war. To get a bonus you must have lived in Massachusetts for 6 months prior to entering service, been discharged under honorable conditions from that period of service, and meet certain other requirements.

Welcome Home Bonus for Post-9/11 Veterans

• Served on or after September 11, 2001
• The amount of the bonus depends on whether you served in Iraq or Afghanistan ($1000) or served elsewhere in the U.S. or abroad for six months or more ($500)
• Depending on the length of your service and number of deployments, you may be eligible for more than one Welcome Home Bonus. These later bonuses are paid at a lower rate
• Application for Active Duty Servicemembers.
• Application for Discharged Servicemembers.

Persian Gulf Bonus

• Served between August 2, 1990 and April 10, 1991 for at least 30 days
• The amount of the Persian Gulf Bonus depends on whether you served in the Persian Gulf Area and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal ($500); or served elsewhere ($300)
• Persian Gulf Application.

Vietnam Bonus

• Served between July 1, 1958, and May 17, 1975
• The amount of the Vietnam Bonus depends on whether you served in Vietnam ($300) or served elsewhere for at least six months ($200)
• Vietnam Application.

Korean Bonus

• Served between June 25, 1950, and January 31, 1955
• The amount of the Korean Bonus depends on whether you served with one or more days outside the United States ($300); served at least six months in the United States ($200); or served 90 days in the United States ($100)
• Korean Application.

World War II Bonus

• Served between September 16, 1940, and July 25, 1947
• The amount of the World War II Bonus depends on whether you served outside the United States ($300); served more than six months in the United States ($200); or served less than six months in the United States ($100)
• World War II Application.

Bonuses for Survivors of Veterans

• If an eligible veteran has died, the spouse and children, mother or father, brother or sister, or other dependents (in that order) may be eligible to receive the veteran’s bonus.
• The application for a surviving family member.

Burial allowances

If you are low-income and cannot afford funeral expenses, you may be given money to pay for the burial of a veteran or the dependents of a veteran. To apply, you must submit an application to your VSO within 60 days of the date of death.

Moving and Transportation to Medical Appointments

Moving assistance is available for those who:

• Have significant medical, financial, or social circumstance that can be reduced by relocation
• Are eligible for VA benefits
• Have insufficient resources to move on their own
• Have not received moving assistance previously

To apply, contact your VSO.