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Ohio awards $49M to 59K veterans
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
The state has paid more than $49 million in bonuses to veterans of recent and ongoing military conflicts, thanks to a constitutional amendment approved by voters three years ago, according to new data from the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.
In November 2009, voters signed off on a constitutional amendment allowing the state to borrow up to $200 million to pay cash bonuses to Ohio military men and women who served at least 90 days of active duty in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan or Iraq in current conflicts in those areas, plus those involved in Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s. The list includes those who served from Aug. 2, 1990 to March 3, 1991; since Oct. 7, 2001, in Afghanistan; and since March 19, 2003, in Iraq.
Eligible veterans are paid $100 for each month, up to $1,000, for time served in those areas or $50 a month, up to $500, for those serving in other locations. Families of veterans who died in action will be eligible for a $5,000 death benefit.
Similar cash bonuses were approved by voters and paid to veterans of other wars and conflicts, dating back to World War I.
To date, close to 59,000 claims have been made by eligible veterans. About $39 million of the resulting payments have gone to veterans who currently live in Ohio, with another $10 million-plus going to those who lived in the state during their service but now live elsewhere. Franklin County led the state with 5,311 claims totaling more than $4.2 million, followed by Cuyahoga County (3,625 claims, $2.8 million).Among area counties: More than $700,000 in claims were paid in both Mahoning and Trumbull counties, while military men and women in Columbiana County combined for about $362,000 in payments to date.