Ohio State Veteran's Benefits

The state of Ohio provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the following benefits.

• Housing Benefits
• Financial Assistance Benefits
• Education Benefits
• Other State Veteran Benefits

Ohio Veteran Housing Programs

Ohio Veterans Home
The Ohio Veterans Home Agency is a State of Ohio establishment comprised of two facilities, a home located in Sandusky, Ohio (approximately 60 miles west of Cleveland) and a home located in Georgetown, Ohio (approximately 45 miles east of Cincinnati).

The Georgetown Home is a licensed nursing home providing two levels of nursing care -- standard care and special care (Alzheimer/ Dementia). The Sandusky Home, in addition to offering standard care and special care in its licensed nursing home, also offers Veterans Hall (DOM), a domiciliary for those who are able to function in an independent living situation, and DOM+ for those requiring very limited assistance (supervised care) but who do not require the level of care provided to nursing home residents.

Learn more about the Ohio Veterans Home

Ohio Financial Assistance Benefits

Ohio Veterans Bonus Program
Eligible Veterans may receive $100 for each month spent on active duty service in the following locations during these specified dates:

• Persian Gulf between August 2, 1990 and March 3, 1991, the date when Iraq accepted the conditions for a permanent cease fire. Eligible Veterans can apply for a bonus until December 31, 2013.
  
• Afghanistan since October 7, 2001. Eligible Veterans can apply for a bonus for up to three years after the President declares an end to U.S. involvement in Afghanistan.
  

Iraq since March 19, 2003. Eligible Veterans can apply for a bonus for up to three years after the President declares an end to U.S. involvement in Iraq.

The maximum benefit for in-theater service is $1,000.

Eligible Veterans are encouraged to begin the process by completing the online bonus application. Applications are available at www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov, or at any of Ohio’s 88 County Veterans Services Offices. Or call 1 - 877 - OHIO VET to get a paper application. In most cases, applying on-line is the simplest and fastest option. However, the application is not complete until they print, sign and mail the application along with required supporting documentation through the U.S. Postal Service. The signed application must be "notarized" or "acknowledged" and mailed to:

Ohio Veterans Bonus
P.O. Box 373
Sandusky, OH 44871

Visit the Ohio Dept. of Veterans Services website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Compensation and VA Claims
County Veterans Service Officers are extensively trained to assist with the preparation and submission of VA claims, compensation and appeals.

Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available through your County Veterans Service Office on a short term basis to eligible veterans and their dependents.

Military Injury Relief Fund
Ohio grants money to individuals injured while in active service as a member of the armed forces of the United States and while serving under operation Iraqi freedom or operation enduring freedom. Effective August 21, 2008 MIRF is exempt from State Taxation.

Visit the Ohio Dept. of Veterans Services website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Ohio Education Benefits

Ohio War Orphans Scholarship
In order to be eligible for consideration of a scholarship, the child of an eligible person must meet the following requirements:  (1) At the time of application, have attained his or her sixteenth but not his or her twenty-first birthday; (2) At the time of application, if a child of a veteran who entered the armed services: (a) As a legal resident of Ohio, have resided in the state for the last preceding year; (b) Not as a legal resident of Ohio, have resided in the state for the year preceding the year in which application for the scholarship is made and any other four of the last ten years; (3) Be in financial need, as determined by the Board.

Ohio GI Promise
In an effort to enhance the benefits for veterans established in the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill, effective on August 1, 2009, the University System of Ohio is taking a proactive step to better serve those who serve our country. The following are components of our state-level initiative, the Ohio GI Promise.

Visit the Ohio Dept. of Veterans Services website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Other Ohio State Veteran Benefits

Burial Benefits
Burial Benefits are available for eligible veterans. (Contact your County Veteran Service Officer)

Medals/Awards and Decorations
Your County Veterans Service Office has forms available and can assist veterans and their families in search of Medals and awards. (Contact your County Veteran Service Officer)

Military Records
Your County Veterans Service Office has forms available and can assist veterans and their families in search of military records and discharges. Also please review links to the left for 'Request for Records'. (Contact your County Veteran Service Officer)

Military/Veteran License Plates
Ohio's Bureau of Motor Vehicles has many military/veteran license plates available to eligible veterans.

Transportation to Medical Appointments
Many of the organizations and County Veterans Service Offices across Ohio free transportation to local VA facilities. (Contact your County Veteran Service Officer)

Updating your Discharge
Your County Veterans Service office has the forms available to request updates to your discharges and can assist you in submitting the form properly. (Contact your County Veteran Service Officer)

Recreational Benefits
Ohio offers the following recreation benefits for qualifying veterans:

• Hunting & Fishing Licenses for qualified veterans
  FOR INFORMATION CALL 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543)
• Boating Licenses for qualified veterans
  FOR INFORMATION CALL 877-426-2837
• Camping at Ohio State Parks
  FOR INFORMATION CALL 877-426-2837
  

Visit the Ohio Dept. of Veterans Services website for contact information and benefits assistance.