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Apply for a Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) “Welcome Home” Veterans' Bonus

The GWOT “Welcome Home” Bonus is for active and discharged service members 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.

Contacts

Veterans' Bonus Division Contact

Phone

Call Veterans' Bonus Division Contact at (617) 367-9333 ext. 859

Online

Veterans' Bonus Inquiry 

The Details

What you need

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

You will need the following documents to apply:

  1. Proof of Service:
    1. Discharged service member or National Guard, Reserve members that completed an activation or deployment
      1. Provide copy of DD214 long version showing the character of service block (block 24 or block 26), if available
    2. For currently serving active service members or Reserve or National Guard that have not received a DD214 for their service.
      1. Documentation showing date and home of record when entered the military or when activated
      2. Documentation showing deployment location and dates if not listed on other previously submitted documents
  2. Proof of Residency:
    1. If Massachusetts is not listed as the home of record on your dd214 or other military supporting documentation. Provide documentation showing you were a resident in Massachusetts before entering the military, if available (high school diploma, W2, etc. dated prior to entering the military)
      1. If you do not have residency documentation our office can research on your behalf
    2. For Reserve and Guard members, residency must be 6 months prior to individual activation start dates.
    3. Out of state students that attended school in Massachusetts are not considered domicile in Massachusetts for the purpose of this bonus.

How to apply

  1. Apply online.
  2. Create Veterans Bonus portal account
  3. Update demographics (contact information) and service history information in your portal account
  4. Apply for bonus
  5. Upload supporting documentation
  6. Orders, DD214, memorandum, award, etc.
  7. Submit Application
  8. Contact the Veterans’ Bonus Division though your portal account, if you have questions or need assistance completing the application .

Apply for a Veterans' Bonus by Mail.

Next steps

  1. Approval/Denial Notification

    You will receive an email when the application is approved or denied. Additionally, you can view the status on your portal page at any time.  

  2. Receive bonus

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

  3. Appeal a denial

    If a bonus is denied, you will receive an email or letter regarding your denied bonus detailing the reason(s) the bonus was denied along with appeal instructions if you disagree with the decision.

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

  4. Questions/Status

    You can contact the Veterans’ Bonus Division through your portal account by submitting an inquiry from your account.  

Contact

Address
1 Ashburton Place, 12th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
Directions 
Phone
Call Veterans' Bonus Division Contact at (617) 367-9333 ext. 859
Online
Veterans' Bonus Inquiry 

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