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Apply for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) Bonus

Veterans that lived in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts before entering the military may be eligible to receive an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) Bonus. See below for details.
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   of Apply for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) Bonus

What you need   for Apply for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) Bonus

This is a one-time bonus for servicemembers that lived in Massachusetts for at least six months immediately before entering the military and were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for participating in a combat operations where a wartime bonus is not offered. The main years that this bonus covers are 1976–1989 and 1992–2000.

Click here to see list of Combat Operations eligible for the AFEM.

Click here to go back to the AFEM 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.
    • 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
  4. Submit online or mail application package to address on form

For deceased veterans:

The relatives of a deceased veteran may apply to receive the bonus the veteran would have received. Click here to go to the process for deceased veterans.

If you have questions you may submit an online inquiry.

Phone: (617) 367-9333 ext: 859

 

How to apply   Apply for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) Bonus

  1. Complete Veterans of Older Wars Application 
  2. Upload copy of your DD214 longer version showing block 24 (character of service)
  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. Complete Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) Bonus Application.
  2. Include a copy of your DD214 longer version showing block 24 (character of service).
  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 an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) 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.

  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.

Downloads   for Apply for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) Bonus

Open PDF file, 283.57 KB,  Veterans of Older Wars, Persian Gulf, and AFEM Application (English, PDF 283.57 KB)

Contact   for Apply for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) Bonus

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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