Definition of a Veteran
To be eligible for veterans benefits, one must be a "veteran" or a dependent of a "veteran". The HERO Act recently expanded the definition of a veteran for state benefits and access to the Massachusetts State Veterans Homes.
See below for service requirements and exceptions:
- Any person who served at least 90 days (either during wartime or peacetime) in the United States Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Space Force, as well as commissioned officers of the United States Public Health Service and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
- Any person who received any discharge except dishonorable.
- Any person that is considered a veteran by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
- Any person who was awarded a service-connected disability during active duty or training, including as a reservist or member of the national guard.
See below for service requirements and exceptions.
| Era of Service | Dates | Requirement for Veteran Status |
|---|---|---|
| WWI | 6-Apr-1917 11-Nov-1918 | 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
| PEACETIME | 12-Nov-1918 15-Sep-1940 | 90 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
| WWII (Merchant Marine: 7-Dec-1941 through 31-Dec-1946) | 16-Sep-1940 25-Jul-1947 | 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
| PEACETIME | 26-Jul-1947 24-Jun-1950 | 90 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
| KOREA | 25-Jun-1950 31-Jan-1955 | 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
| Korean Defense Service Medal | 28-Jul-1954 (to be determined later) | 90 days of active duty service, last discharge under anything other than dishonorable and the Korean Defense Service Medal. |
| VIETNAM I | 1-Feb-1955 4-Aug-1964 | 90 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
| VIETNAM II | 5-Aug-1964 7-May-1975 | 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
| PEACETIME | 8-May-1975 1-Aug-1990 | 90 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
| Lebanon Campaign* | 25-Aug-1982 (to be determined later) | 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
| Grenada Campaign* | 25-Oct-1983 15-Dec-1983 | 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
| Panama Campaign* | 20-Dec-1989 31-Jan-1990 | 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
| PERSIAN GULF | 2-Aug-1990 (to be determined later) | 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under anything other than dishonorable. |
*Naval and Marine DD214 must indicate Expeditionary Medal. All DD214s must specify the campaign: Lebanon, Granada, or Panama.
For GUARD MEMBERS to qualify, they must have 90 days and have been activated under Title 10 of the U.S. Code -OR- Members who were activated under Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code or Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 33, sections 38, 40, and 41 must have 90 days, at least one of which was during wartime, per the above chart.
For RESERVISTS to qualify, they must have been called to regular active duty, at which point the above chart can determine their eligibility.
Training Duty Exception: Active duty service in the armed forces shall not include active duty for training in the Army or Air National Guard or active duty for training as a Reservist in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Exceptions
Training Duty Exception
Active duty service in the armed forces shall not include active duty for training in the Army or Air National Guard or active duty for training as a Reservist in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Minimum Active Service Exception (Purple Heart or Service-Connected Disability or Death)
Wartime Service
If his or her last discharge or release from wartime service was under anything other than dishonorable, then a person who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States under Title 10 of the United States Code during 1 day of wartime service or a person on full-time Massachusetts National Guard duty under Title 32 of the United States Code during at least one day of wartime service or a person on full-time Massachusetts National Guard duty under sections 38, 40and 41 of chapter 33 of the general laws during at least 1 day of wartime service, who sustained a service-connected disability during such wartime service or was awarded the Purple Heart during such wartime service or who died during such wartime service under conditions other than dishonorable, is excused from completing the 90-day active service requirement during such wartime service.
Peacetime
If his or her last discharge or release from active service was under anything other than dishonorable, then a person who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States under Title 10 of the United States Code during peacetime, who sustained a service-connected disability while on active duty during peacetime or who died on active duty during peacetime under conditions other than dishonorable, is excused from completing the 90-day active service requirement during peacetime.
Additional Resources
Eligible dependents
The following categories of persons may qualify as dependents eligible to receive veterans' benefits:
- Spouse of the veteran.
- Widow or widower of the veteran.
- Dependent parent of the veteran.
- Any person who acted as a parent to the veteran for five years immediately preceding the commencement of the veteran's wartime service.
- Child of the veteran until his or her 19th birthday.
- Child of the veteran between 19 years and 23 years of age while the child is attending high school, an institution of higher learning or some other accredited educational institution provided that the applicant is in receipt of benefits under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 115.
- Child of the veteran 19 years of age or older who is mentally or physically unable to support himself or herself and was affected by the disability prior to his or her 18th birthday.
- Legally adopted children of the veteran.
How to apply for benefits
Applications for financial help for veterans in Massachusetts can be filed with your community's Veterans' Service Officer (VSO).
To find your VSO:
- See the complete listing of Veterans' Service Officers in Massachusetts.
- Call your local city/town hall and ask for Veterans' Services.
- Or, call the Executive Office of Veterans Services, 617-210-5480 and ask for your VSO's name and contact information.
Examples of documents needed for application (speak to your VSO for a full list of documents required)
A VSO may ask a veteran for the following documents:
- DD214 or other discharge certificate
- Income verification (pay stubs, award letters or other documents showing monthly income)
- Shelter verification (rent receipt or mortgage payment)
A VSO may ask a veteran's dependent for the following documents to establish a relationship as an eligible dependent:
- Marriage certificate (for spouse or widow/widower of a veteran)
- Birth certificate or adoption record with name of eligible veteran as parent (for child of a veteran)
- Death certificate (for widow/widower of a veteran, child of deceased veteran)
- Birth certificate of veteran with name of parent (for parent of a veteran)
- Public record or statements from the veteran or other knowledgeable people, showing that the applicant stood in place of a parent to the veteran for five years immediately preceding the veteran's wartime service (for person in place of a parent to a veteran)