PERSIAN GULF CONFLICT VETERANS' BENEFIT PROGRAM NOW OPEN

HARRISBURG, APRIL 14 – State Sen. Connie Williams announced that a new benefit program had opened for veterans of the Persian Gulf Conflict.

The program was made possible by the enactment of Act 29 of 2006 and the support of Pennsylvania voters during the Nov. 7, 2006, general election.

Bonuses will be awarded to current and former members of the United States Armed Forces, a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania National Guard. Both living veterans and families of deceased veterans are eligible (in order of precedence: surviving spouses, surviving children, surviving parents).

To qualify the service member/veteran must have:

• Served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during the period from Aug. 2, 1990 to Aug. 31, 1991 and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal

• Been a legal resident of Pennsylvania at the time of active service (Aug. 2, 1990 to Aug. 31, 1991).

"This bonus program is just another way that Pennsylvania can thank the members of its armed services – and their families – for giving of themselves during the Persian Gulf Conflict," Williams said.

Those who qualify are entitled to receive a one-time benefit of $75 per month for each month (or major fraction of a month) of active service in the Persian Gulf to a maximum of $525. An additional one-time benefit of $5,000 will be awarded if the service member was declared a prisoner of war at any time during the qualifying period. If the service member died in "active service' during the period of Aug. 2, 1990 to Aug. 31, 1991, or as a result of service connected wounds, diseases or injuries sustained during active service (as certified by DoD), a one-time $5,000 benefit will be awarded to the eligible beneficiary.

To apply, the form PG-1 must be used. All applications must be accompanied by copies (because the originals will not be returned) of: a DD214; certified military records for individuals who are still on active duty; or if applicable, a DD215/Correction documenting receipt of the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the dates served. Applicants also must provide proof of Pennsylvania residency.

Applications are available online at www.persiangulfbonus.state.pa.us, by calling the Persian Gulf Veterans Benefit Program toll-free at 1-866-458-9182, at each County Director of Veterans Affairs Offices, and from Veteran Service Organizations.

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs are administering the program. Deadline to apply is Aug. 15, 2015. Applications will take six to 10 weeks for processing.