Ohio is now accepting applications for veterans bonus Published Aug. 24, 2010 By Richard Cordray Ohio Attorney General Ohio -- Greetings, One war veteran's simple question is about to bear fruit for 200,000 of his fellow Ohio veterans. In 2007, U.S. Army Capt. Thomas Germano, a Mentor native then serving in Iraq, asked my office in a letter if the state offered financial benefits to veterans of recent wars. The state did not at the time, but Capt. Germano's question prompted me to ask the Legislature to ask voters to approve a bonus payment to veterans in salute of their service, just as Ohioans had done after World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam. Last November, more than seven in 10 Ohioans approved this bonus. Today, state leaders and I announced that applications are now being accepted for the veterans bonus. Veterans can download the application or get more information at: www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov <http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=177%7c1443%7c29546&digest=mhYlA2jjshLLUduO4Mq%2fIQ&sysid=1> Eligible veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Iraq or Afghanistan wars may receive $100 for each month of active duty service up to $1,000. Eligible veterans serving on active duty elsewhere in the world during these wars may receive $50 per month of service up to a maximum of $500. An eligible veteran may combine their service bonuses for a maximum payment of $1,500. Family members of deceased veterans may also be eligible for compensation. Notary service for applications will be available at all of Ohio's more than 200 county clerks of courts locations. In addition, assistant attorneys general in my offices in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Youngstown and Toledo will provide the needed notarization on veterans' applications free of cost. Information on those locations is available at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/VeteransBonus If you know someone who might be eligible for this bonus, please forward this message to that person. And, again, please visit www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov for specific information about the application process and eligibility. It is very gratifying to see Capt. Germano's suggestion from 2007 finally becoming reality, just as it is gratifying to see Ohio voters reward the service of their fellow citizens. Sincerely, Richard Cordray Ohio Attorney General