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AGENCY TRYING TO REACH MORE VETERANS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BONUS PROGRAM
After a large initial response to the program, applications for the Ohio Veterans Bonus have slowed considerably, according to the Department of Veterans Services.
DVS Director Tom Moe said Tuesday in releasing the latest statistics on the program that the agency was looking to raise awareness so more eligible veterans could benefit.
"We know that the bonus has already made a difference in the lives of over 33,500 Ohioans," Mr. Moe said in a news release. "But we believe there's a lot more out there who are eligible, so we're making every effort to be sure that everyone who's qualified for the bonus gets it."
To advertise the program, which has paid out over $27.3 million since disbursements began in August 2010, DVS recently created social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr. These pages provide links to veteran benefit applications, contact information, and even pictures and videos of various events around the state.
Despite those outreach efforts, many veterans are still not getting their due benefits.
About 20,000 veterans applied online for the Ohio Veterans Bonus program but did not complete the various necessary follow-up forms, agency spokesman Michael McKinney said.
The department knows there are several thousand other eligible veterans who have not applied, he said. Also, new veterans are returning from duty every day, so the department is "making every effort to reach new veterans."
The program, which is funded by the sale of bonds, has a limit of $200 million, Mr. McKinney said. To date, $50 million in bonds have been sold, and more will be offered before the end of the year.
Veterans who served more than 90 days active duty in the Persian Gulf, Iraq, or Afghanistan receive $100 a month with a maximum of $1,000. Those who served elsewhere during the conflicts can receive $50 per month for a maximum of $500.
Those who were medically discharged can receive $1,000 plus another $500 for time served.
The families of soldiers killed in action are also eligible for a bonus of $5,000 plus the soldier's time served, up to a total of $6,500.
The program was endorsed by voters in a November 2009 constitutional amendment.
