Apply for a Welcome Home Veterans' Bonus

The Welcome Home "GWOT" Bonus is reserved for active and discharged servicemembers that served after September 11, 2001.
Submitting your application online may result in a quicker response. Most applicants receive their checks 4-6 weeks after submitting completed materials, including supporting documentation.

Veterans' Bonus Division Contact

The Details   of Apply for a Welcome Home Veterans' Bonus

What you need   for Apply for a Welcome Home Veterans' Bonus

To apply for the Welcome Home Bonus, your active service must fall between the following dates: September 11, 2001 to present.

Click here to View Eligibility Requirements and Payment Amounts

Click here to go back to the GWOT homepage

 

You will need the following documents to apply:

  1. Complete application (online or mail in application)
  2. Provide copy of DD214 member 4 showing block 24 (character of service)
    • Your discharge must be under honorable conditions.
      1. For discharged members, DD214(s) are required.
      2. For Reserve or Guard members, DD214(s) are required if active for 90 days or more.
      3. For active, or reserve or guard that was active for less than 90 days, concurrence from chain of command is required, this can be email concurrence, a memorandum, or the Commanding Officer Form.
    • Active service shall not include active duty for training in the National Guard or Reserves
  3. Document showing you lived in Massachusetts before entering the military, if available (high school diploma, W2, etc. dated prior to entering the military)
    • If you do not have residency documentation our office can research on your behalf
    • For Reserve and Guard members, residency must be 6 months prior to individual activation start dates.
  1. Proof of Service
    • For discharged servicemembers, DD214(s) are required.
    • For Reserve and Guard members, DD214(s) are required if member was active for 90 days or more, if not we will accept orders, awards, memorandums, military records.
    • For active members we will accept orders, awards, memorandums, military records.
  2. Submit online or mail application package to address on form

Your application will not be considered complete until your supporting documents have been received.

How to apply   Apply for a Welcome Home Veterans' Bonus

  1. Complete GWOT Application
  2. Upload copy of your DD214, or equivalent if DD214 is not available, showing:
    1. block 24 (character of service)
    2. proof of service (service dates)
  3. Upload document showing that you lived in Massachusetts before entering the military if available 
    1. Accepted documents (high school diploma, w2, lease, etc.) 
    2. If you do not have residency documentation our office can research your residency before entering the military for you 
  4. Submit Application 
  5. Contact the Veterans’ Bonus Division if you have questions or need assistance completing the application.

  1. Massachusetts Welcome Home Bonus Application Form
  2. Include a copy of your DD214, or equivalent if DD214 is not available, showing:
    1. block 24 (character of service)
    2. proof of service (service dates)
  3. Include document showing that you lived in Massachusetts before entering the military, if available
    1. Accepted document (high school diploma, w2, lease, etc.) 
    2. If you do not have residency documentation our office can research your residency before entering the military.
  4. Contact the Veterans’ Bonus Division if you have questions or need assistance completing the application.
  5. Mail application and documents to:

Veterans’ Bonus Division 
1 Ashburton Place, 12th Floor
Boston, MA 02108

Next steps   for Apply for a Welcome Home Veterans' Bonus

  1. Approval/Denial

    You will receive an email when the application is approved or denied. 

  2. Questions/Status

    The Veterans’ Bonus Division will contact you if they have any questions. You can contact the Veterans’ Bonus Division if you have questions or for a status update. Please email veteransbonus@tre.state.ma.us if you have questions about the application and/or to verify receipt of your application and pertinent materials.

    Please do not submit documents via email since they may contain confidential personal information.

    Submit additional documentation

  3. Receive bonus

    Payments take approximately 4-6 weeks to process and deliver, via mailed check. Unfortunately, we do not have direct deposit services available.

  4. Appeal a denial

    You will receive a letter regarding your denied bonus detailing the reason(s) the application was not accepted.

    You are able to appeal the Division’s decision. You must send a written request for an appeal within 60 days from the date of receiving the denial.

More info   for Apply for a Welcome Home Veterans' Bonus

Online Application Process

This bonus application is divided into four sections. This form allows for you, at the end of each section, to continue on to the next section (by clicking Next at the bottom of each page) or to save the application information entered and resume later (by clicking Save and Resume Later at the bottom of each page).

If you want to save a partial application to finish in the future, you must provide a valid email address. You will receive an email message containing a link to resume your application. Please note this link is valid for only 30 days; otherwise, you will need to start a new application.

Downloads   for Apply for a Welcome Home Veterans' Bonus

Contact   for Apply for a Welcome Home Veterans' Bonus

Address
1 Ashburton Place, 12th Floor, Boston, MA 02108

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