The State of Ohio offers several benefit programs for military veterans that include housing, financial assistance, employment, education and more. These benefits are over and above those provided by the VA. For an overview of what to expect, contact any veterans’ benefits attorneys in Ohio.
The primary financial benefit programs that are available include:
- Ohio Veterans Bonus: Ohio veterans that were on active duty in the Persian Gulf, Iraq or Afghanistan for more than three months and were honorably discharged may receive a cash bonus. For the veteran to be eligible, he or she must have been a resident of the State of Ohio when they entered the service and when the application was made. Eligible veterans can receive $100 for every month on active duty up to a maximum of $1,000.
- Injury Relief Fund: Any service member that was injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation New Dawn may be eligible for a one-time payment from the State of Ohio.
In addition to financial assistance, the dependants of Ohio veterans may be able to gain educational benefits as well.
- The spouse and children of any member of the military that was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring freedom may be eligible to have tuition fees in participating Ohio schools or colleges waived.
- Children that live in Ohio and have yet to reach their 25th birthday can qualify for the Ohio War Orphans scholarship. The veteran parent must have been severely disabled or killed while serving in any declared conflict.
To help integrate veterans back into civilian life, the State of Ohio assists those that wish to buy a home or keep the home they own. The “Hero’s Program” assists first time home buys by offering a lower interest rate to veterans as well as those in active service. There is also a program that provides help making mortgage payments as well as assistance to low-income veterans with their utility bills.
Veterans’ benefits attorneys in Ohio can provide additional information on these programs as well as all benefits available from the federal government.