HARRISBURG, Pa., July 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Veterans
might not get any additional time to apply for the Pennsylvania
Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Bonus if the state Senate doesn't
reconvene and vote before August 31 –
the date the program is slated to end.
"In June, the Pennsylvania
House of Representatives voted to extend the Persian Gulf Veterans'
Bonus Program for three years," said Governor Tom Wolf. "Unfortunately that bill is waiting
for the Senate to take a vote, but they aren't expected to
reconvene until Sept. 21 unless they
are recalled sooner."
The bonus provides a one-time cash payment to eligible
Pennsylvania Veterans of the Persian Gulf War. Eligible
Pennsylvania Veterans include current and former members of the
United States Armed Forces, a reserve component of the United
States Armed Forces, or the Pennsylvania National Guard who served
from August 2, 1990 to August 31, 1991 within the program-designated
Persian Gulf Conflict Theater of Operations.
"In the last twelve months we have increased our efforts to
spread the word about this bonus to Pennsylvania's veterans of Operations Desert
Shield or Desert Storm and we have seen the number of applications
increase dramatically," said Maj. Gen. James Joseph, adjutant general of Pennsylvania. "This shows us that there are
still numerous Persian Gulf Veterans out there who have not applied
and an extension is the only way to ensure that these veterans get
the bonus they have earned."
"Since DVMA began accepting applications on April 4, 2008, more than 11,000 applications have
been submitted, and 8,863 of those applicants have been awarded a
bonus for a total of $3,652,513
awarded."
"In order to ensure that every eligible Persian Gulf War Veteran
receives this bonus we need the Senate to reconvene and take a vote
before August 31. It's the right
thing to do for our veterans," Joseph added.
For detailed instructions on how to apply, visit
www.persiangulfbonus.state.pa.us.
MEDIA CONTACT: Joan Z.
Nissley – 717.861.8720
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pa-persian-gulf-conflict-veterans-bonus-will-end-aug-31-unless-senate-votes-for-extension-300120586.html
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs