Section 7.03 - Eligibility(1)World War II Bonus.(a) To be eligible for a World War II Bonus, the Applicant must submit a completed application, which includes documentation satisfactory to the Division, showing the Applicant meets the following requirements:1.Massachusetts Domicile. The Applicant must have been domiciled in the Commonwealth for a period of not less than six months immediately prior to entering Active Service of the Armed Forces;2.Active Service. The Applicant must have served in Active Service in the Armed Forces for a period of at least one day from on or after September 16, 1940 through July 25, 1947; and3.Characterization of Service. The Applicant shall have received a discharge or release under honorable conditions.(b) Upon receipt of a completed application, which includes documentation sufficient to the Division, and the Division's determination that the Applicant is eligible for a bonus, the Division shall award the sum of:1. $100.00 for one day to six months Active Service in the continental United States;2. $200.00 for six months or more Active Service in the continental United States;3. $300.00 for overseas Active Service; or4. If veteran died while on Active Service, the surviving family member(s) are eligible for a $300.00 payment.(2)Korean War Bonus.(a) To be eligible for a Korean War Bonus, the Applicant must submit a completed application, which includes documentation satisfactory to the Division, showing the Applicant meets the following requirements: 1.Massachusetts Domicile. The Applicant must have been domiciled in the Commonwealth for a period of not less than six months immediately prior to entering Active Service of the Armed Forces;2.Active Service. The Applicant must have served in Active Service in the Armed Forces for ninety days or more from on or after June 25, 1950 through January 31, 1955; and 3.Characterization of Service. The Applicant shall have received a discharge or release under honorable conditions.(b) Upon receipt of a completed application, which includes documentation sufficient to the Division, and the determination that the Applicant is eligible for a bonus, the Division shall award the sum of:1. $100.00 if the Applicant performed not less than 90 days of Active Service, unless discharged or released as the result of injury or disease incurred or aggravated by such services, and not more than six months, but served no part outside of the continental limits of the United States;2. $200.00 if the Applicant performed Active Service for more than six months but served no part thereof outside the continental limits of the United States;3. $300.00 if the Applicant performed Active Service outside the continental limits of the United States; or4. In the case of any eligible person who died while in Active Service, there shall be awarded the sum of $300.00 to the person's Heir(s)-at-Law as provided in 960 CMR 7.03(9).(c) If an Applicant performed less than 90 days of Active Service due to a discharge or release that was the result of injury or disease incurred or aggravated by such service, upon receipt of a completed application, which includes documentation sufficient to the Division, and the determination that the Applicant is otherwise eligible for a bonus, the Division may award the sum of $100.00.(d) The Division shall not consider the Applicant's Active Duty for Training in the Army National Guard or Air National Guard or time served in Active Duty for Training as a reservist in the Armed Forces of the United States when evaluating the Active Service period requirement.(e) Any award granted under 960 CMR 7.03(2) is a one-time bonus payment.(3)Vietnam Conflict Bonus. (a) To be eligible for a Vietnam Conflict Bonus, the Applicant must submit a completed application, which includes documentation satisfactory to the Division, showing the Applicant meets the following requirements:1.Massachusetts Domicile. The Applicant must have been domiciled in the Commonwealth for a period of not less than six months immediately prior to entering Active Service of the Armed Forces;2.Active Service. The Applicant must have served in Active Service in the Armed Forces for six months or more with at least one day within the period of July 1, 1958 to May 17, 1975; and3.Characterization of Service. The Applicant's discharge or release must have been under honorable conditions.(b) If the Applicant has been released or discharged at or before the time of the application, the Division may rely upon an Applicant's DD-214, including the information contained in Box number 24, to determine the characterization of the Applicant's service. The Division shall deem an Applicant with a "General (Under Honorable)" or "Honorable" discharge as meeting the characterization of service requirement.(c) Upon receipt of a completed application, which includes documentation sufficient to the Division, and the determination that the Applicant is eligible for a bonus, the Division shall award the sum of:1. $300.00 to each veteran who performed Active Service outside the continental limits of the United States in the Vietnam area as described by the proper federal authorities;2. $200.00 to each veteran whose Active Service was performed within the continental limits of the United States or outside the continental limits of the United States in areas other than the Vietnam area; or3. In the case of an eligible Applicant who died while in Active Service, the sum of $300.00 to any Heir(s)-at-Law as provided in 960 CMR 7.03(9).4. Any award granted under 960 CMR 7.03(3) is a one-time bonus payment.(4)Gulf War Bonus. (a) To be eligible for a Gulf War Bonus, the Applicant must submit a completed application, which includes documentation satisfactory to the Division, showing the Applicant meets the following requirements:1.Massachusetts Domicile. The Applicant must have been domiciled in the Common wealth for a period of not less than six months prior to entering Active Service of the Armed Forces;2.Active Service. The Applicant must have been in Active Service for 30 days, and served during the period August 2, 1990 to April 11, 1991; and3.Characterization of Service. The Applicant's discharge or release must have been under honorable conditions.(b) If the Applicant has been released or discharged at or before the time of the application, the Division may rely upon an Applicant's DD-214, including the information contained in Box number 24, to determine the characterization of the Applicant's service. The Division shall deem an Applicant with a "General (Under Honorable)" or "Honorable" discharge as meeting the characterization of service requirement.(c) If the Applicant is in Active Service at the time of the application, the Division may relyupon a letter from the Commanding Officer or other person in the Applicant's chain of command, or other document acceptable to the Division showing the status of the Applicant's current service to determine the characterization of the Applicant's service.(d) The Division shall not consider the Applicant's Active Duty for Training in the Army National Guard or Air National Guard or time served in Active Duty for Training as a reservist in the Armed Forces of the United States when evaluating the Active Service period requirement.(e) Upon receipt of a completed application, which includes documentation sufficient to the Division, and the determination that the Applicant is eligible for a bonus, the Division shall award the sum of:1. $500.00 to each such Persian Gulf War veteran who performed Active Service in the Persian Gulf area in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and is in receipt of the Southwest Asia Service Medal established by executive order of the President on March 13, 1991; or2. $300.00 to all other such Persian Gulf veterans who were in Active Service in support of said operations as members of the Armed Forces of the United States and served in an area other than the Persian Gulf area.(f) Any award granted under 960 CMR 7.03(4) is a one-time bonus payment.(5)GWOT Welcome Home Bonus. (a) To be eligible for a GWOT Welcome Home Bonus, the Applicant must submit a completed application, which includes documentation satisfactory to the Division, showing the Applicant meets the following requirements:1.Massachusetts Domicile. The Applicant must have been domiciled in the Commonwealth for a period of not less than six months immediately before the time of their entry into the Armed Forces.2.Active Service. a. The Applicant must have served in the Armed Forces in Active Service on or after September 11, 2001, as part of the GWOT; andb. Applicants must have served in Active Service for at least six months.3.Characterization of Service. The Applicant must be currently serving or have been discharged or released under honorable conditions for the enlistment period. The Applicant must have served honorably during the enlistment period of the deployment.a. Reenlistment is satisfactory evidence of a preceding enlistment under honorable conditions. Evidence of reenlistment may include Block 18 of the DD-214, there enlistment contract, or other service documentation.b. If the Applicant has been released or discharged at or before the time of the application, the Division shall rely upon an Applicant's DD-214, including the information contained in Box number 24, to determine the characterization of The Applicant's service.c. If the Applicant is in Active Service at the time of the application, the Division may rely upon a letter from the Commanding Officer or other person in The Applicant's chain of command or other document acceptable to the Division showing the status of the Applicant's current service to determine the characterization of service.(b) Upon receipt of a completed application and determination that the Applicant is eligible for a bonus, the Division shall award the Applicant the sum of $500.00. The award is a one-time bonus payment.(c) Applicants may be awarded additional GWOT Welcome Home Bonuses if the Division determines that they returned to their Home Station between Deployments and were subsequently deployed for six months of continuous active service within the continental United States or for Deployment outside the continental United States in direct support of a GWOT Operation. The Applicant must submit documentation satisfactory to the Division that establishes each subsequent Deployment with their application to be eligible for additional GWOT Welcome Home Bonus awards. Upon determination that the Applicant is eligible for an additional bonus, the Division shall award the Applicant an additional sum of $250.00 for each subsequent Deployment.(d) Applicants who qualify for Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger Pay may be eligible for an additional GWOT Welcome Home Bonus.(6)Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Location Bonus.(a) To be eligible for a Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Location Bonus, the Applicant must submit a completed application, which includes documentation satisfactory to the Division, showing the Applicant meets the following requirements: 1.Massachusetts Domicile. The Applicant must have been domiciled in the Commonwealth for a period of not less than six months before the time of their entry into the Armed Forces;2.Active Service.a. The Applicant must have served in the Armed Forces in Active Service on or after September 11, 2001, andb. Applicants must have served in Active Service in a Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Location.3.Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Location Service. The Applicant must have been in Active Duty in a location designated by the U.S. Department of Defense as a Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Location. Applicants must provide with the application documentation satisfactory to the Division to establish their Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Location service; and4.Characterization of Service. The Applicant must be currently serving or have been discharged or released under honorable conditions for the enlistment period. The Applicant must have served honorably during the enlistment period of the deployment.a. Reenlistment is satisfactory evidence of a preceding enlistment under honorable conditions. Evidence of reenlistment may include Block 18 of the DD-214, there enlistment contract, or other service documentation.b. If the Applicant has been released or discharged at or before the time of the application, the Division may rely upon an Applicant's DD-214, including the information contained in Box number 24, to determine the characterization of The Applicant's service.c. If the Applicant is in Active Service at the time of the application, the Division may rely upon a letter from the Commanding Officer or other person in The Applicant's chain of command or other document acceptable to the Division showing the Applicant's current service to determine the characterization of service.(b) Upon receipt of a completed application and determination that the Applicant is eligible for a Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Bonus, the Division shall award the Applicant the sum of $1,000.00. The award is a one-time bonus payment.(c) Applicants may be eligible for additional Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Bonus awards if the Division determines that the Applicant returned to their Home Station between Deployments. The Applicant must submit with their application documentation satisfactory to the Division that establishes each subsequent Deployment into a Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Location. Upon determination that the Applicant is eligible for the additional bonus, the Division shall award the Applicant an additional sum of $500.00 for each Deployment in to a Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Location.(d) An Applicant who traveled more than once to a Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Location during a single Deployment is eligible for only one Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Location Bonus per Deployment.(7)Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Bonus.(a) To be eligible for an AFEM Bonus, the Applicant must submit a completed application, which includes documentation satisfactory to the Division, showing the Applicant meets the following requirements:1.Massachusetts Domicile. The Applicant must have been domiciled in the Commonwealth for a period of not less than six months immediately before the time of their entry into the Armed Forces.2.Active Service. The Applicant must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States outside of the continental limits of the United States; and the Applicant must have served in the Armed Forces for a period of not less than 90 days.3.Characterization of Service. The Applicant must be currently serving or have been discharged or released under honorable conditions. a. If the Applicant has been released or discharged at or before the time of the application, the Division may rely upon an Applicant's DD-214, including the information contained in Box number 24, to determine the characterization of The Applicant's service.b. If the Applicant is in Active Service at the time of the application, the Division may rely upon a letter from the Commanding Officer or other person in The Applicant's chain of command or other document acceptable to the Division showing the status of the Applicant's current service to determine the characterization of service.4.Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. The Applicant must have received the AFEM for service during a period when no other state wartime bonus is available or for an equivalent expeditionary medal for deployment in support of a combat operation.(b) The Division may award the AFEM Bonus to an Applicant who satisfies the Massachusetts Domicile, Characterization of Service, and AFEM or equivalent expeditionary medal requirements, but due to conditions of physical incapacity, served in Active Service in the Armed Forces of the United States for less than 90 days.(c) The Applicant must provide sufficient documentation establishing their award of the AFEM, including DD-214, when submitting their application.(d) Upon receipt of a completed application and determination that the Applicant is eligible for the AFEM Bonus, the Division shall award the Applicant the sum of $300.00. The award is a one-time bonus payment.(8)COVID-19 Bonus.(a) To be eligible for a COVID-19 Bonus, the Applicant must submit a completed application, which includes documentation satisfactory to the Division, showing that The Applicant meets the following requirements: 1.Active Service. The Applicant must have served in the Massachusetts National Guard in Active Service in the Commonwealth from the start of the COVID-19 Massachusetts State of Emergency to support the Commonwealth's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.2.Characterization of Service. The Applicant must currently be serving or have been discharged or released under honorable conditions.a. If the Applicant has been released or discharged at or before the time of the application, the Division may rely upon an Applicant's DD-214, including the information contained in Box number 24, to determine the characterization of The Applicant's service.b. If the Applicant is in Active Service at the time of the application, the Division may rely upon a letter from the Commanding Officer or other person in The Applicant's chain of command or other document acceptable to the Division showing the Applicant's current service to determine the characterization of service.(b) Upon receipt of a completed application and determination that the Applicant is eligible for a COVID-19 Bonus, the Division shall award the Applicant the sum of $500.00.(c) National Guard members activated for additional COVID-19 Massachusetts State of Emergency-related Deployments at any point after March 10, 2020, are eligible to receive a subsequent bonus. The Applicant must submit with their application documentation satisfactory to the Division that establishes each subsequent COVID-19 Massachusetts State of Emergency-related Deployment. Upon determination that the Applicant is eligible for the additional bonus, the Division shall award the Applicant an additional sum of $250.00 for each Deployment.(9)Deceased Service Member. (a) In the case of a deceased service member who, if alive, would have been eligible for a bonus(es), the bonus(es) may be paid to the deceased service member's Heir(s)-at-Law. If there is more than one Heir-at-Law, the Division shall pay the bonus(es) in such proportions as it determines in its sole discretion but as practicable in the following order of precedence:3. brother or sister, and(b) If the deceased eligible service member's parents are the only Heirs-at-Law, regardless of their marital status, the Division may solicit guidance from the parents to determine how to apportion the bonus(es) payment(s).(c) In the case of a service member who would have been eligible for the GWOT or AFEM Bonus, and who died in Active Service, upon submission of a completed application by the deceased service member's Heir(s)-at-Law and determination that the deceased service member was eligible for a bonus, the Division shall award the Heir(s)-at-Law any unpaid bonus(es) and an additional sum of $1,000.00, as provided in 960 CMR 7.03(5), 7.03(6) and 7.03(7).Adopted by Mass Register Issue 1509, eff. 11/24/2023.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1520, eff. 11/24/2023.