Welcome Home Bonus: 

Under Chapter 130 of the Acts of 2005, the Welcome Home Bonus is available to veterans who lived in Massachusetts for six months immediately prior to entering the armed forces, engaged in active service on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged. 

• Veterans with active service in Iraq or Afghanistan are eligible for $1,000 bonus. 

• Veterans with six months active service within the U.S. or in foreign countries other than Iraq and Afghanistan are eligible for $500 bonus. 

Note: Active service does not include active duty for training in the Army or Air National Guard, or active duty for training as a Reservist in the armed forces of the United States. 

Property Tax Exemptions 

There are several types of property taxes exemptions available to veterans in Massachusetts. A tax exemption is a waiver of the obligation to pay some or all property taxes. 

To qualify, veterans (and spouses where applicable) must be legal Massachusetts residents and must be occupying his or her Massachusetts domicile on July 1 in the year of application. Further, veterans must have lived in Massachusetts for at least six months before entering the service or have lived in Massachusetts for at least five consecutive years immediately prior to filing. 

Annuities 

Under M.G.L. c. 115, and Chapter 130 of Acts of 2005, the Commonwealth and the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services provide annuities to certain disabled veterans or families of deceased service members. The annuity is a periodic payment of $2,000 per year made to eligible veterans or family members, with one half paid on April 1 and the other half paid on February 1.  One-hundred percent service-connected disabled veterans, and the surviving parents (Gold Star Parents) and un-remarried spouses (Gold Star Wives or Husbands) of some deceased veterans who died in the line of duty during wartime are eligible to apply. 

Annuities for Disabled Veterans 

Veterans who meet the following requirements are eligible for an annuity: 

• The veteran is a resident of Massachusetts; 

• The veteran meets the service time requirements explained by M.G.L. c. 115, s. 6A, 6B and 6C; 

• Received an honorable discharge from military services; and 

• The veteran meets the requirements for blindness, paraplegia, double amputation, or 

other disability explained by M.G.L. c. 115, s. 6B, or is otherwise 100 percent disabled 

as certified by the VA.

Annuities for Surviving Parents or Un-Remarried Spouses 

An annuity is available to a parent or an un-remarried spouse of a deceased service member. The parent or un-remarried spouse must meet be a resident of Massachusetts. The deceased service member must have met the requirements: 

• The service member was a resident of Massachusetts; 

• The service member received a discharge from military service under other than dishonorable conditions; 

• The service member’s death occurred as a result of an injury or disease contracted during active service in time of war or insurrection or combat as set forth in 108 CMR 3.02. 

To receive the annuity, the applicant must complete an application and must submit copies of their discharge (DD Form 214), a recent Veterans Administration (VA) award letter, and a W-9 form. Family members are required to submit documentation of their relationship to the deceased veteran such as a marriage license or birth certificate. An optional Direct Deposit Authorization may also be submitted. An application may be obtained by regular mail by calling the veterans’ agent at the local city/town hall, or from the Department of Veterans’ Services: 

Department of Veterans’ Services 

600 Washington Street, Suite 1100 

Boston, MA 02111 

Phone: (617) 210-5927 

Fax: (617) 727-5903 

Email: mdvs@vet.state.ma.us 

www.mass.gov/veterans 

An applicant denied an annuity may appeal to the DVS Annuity Appeal Board within 30 days of receipt of the denial notification letter. 

Massachusetts Chapter 115 Benefits: 

Please contact your town Veteran Service Officer. Follow this link to find the contact information for your local VSO. 

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=veteransutilities&L=1&sid=Eveterans&U=veteransagents_A

Veterans Affairs Health Care 

Many veterans are eligible to receive health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions, and service-connected disability rating, status as a recent combat veteran, receipt of certain medals (e.g. Purple Heart), or income. “Active military service” means full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Reservists and National Guard members who were called to active duty by the federal government are generally also eligible for VA health care if they meet the other requirements. 

Dishonorable and bad conduct discharges may make a veteran ineligible for VA benefits, and the VA is prohibited by law from providing any benefits, including health care, to a veteran with an outstanding felony warrant. Some family members of veterans are eligible for VA benefits as well. For more information, see the “Information & Resources for Family Members” section of this guide.

Enrollment 

To obtain VA health care most veterans are required to enroll in the VA system and provide documentation that they are eligible for VA services, such as a copy of their discharge/separation papers (form DD-214). There are several ways to apply for enrollment including: 

• in person at any VA Medical Center or Clinic. 

• by calling VA’s Health Benefits Service Center, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (EST) at 1-877-222-VETS. 

• by mailing or faxing the completed VA Form 10-10EZ to the Medical Center or Clinic of your choice. 

Veterans are enrolled in one of eight priority groups. Veterans seeking care for service- connected injuries or disabilities receive the highest priority for health care. The VA system is divided into regions called Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN). Massachusetts is part of VISN 1 which is the VA New England Healthcare System. You can obtain additional assistance enrolling for VA health care by contacting your local veterans’ service officer. For more information about VA health care, call 1-877-222-8387 or visit www.va.gov. 

Special Eligibility for Combat Veterans 

Under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of Fiscal Year 2008 (38 USC § 1710 (e)(1)(D)) all veterans who served in a combat theater of operations after November 11, 1998 are entitled to five years of VA health care from the date of separation from military service. Combat veterans are automatically enrolled in Priority Group 6.

Mental Health Resources 

Vet Centers:

Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling, outreach, and referral services to veterans and their families in a relaxed, community-based setting. Vet Centers also provide counseling for military sexual trauma and bereavement counseling to parents, siblings, and spouse of service members who die in service.  Many Vet Center staff members are combat veterans themselves. Almost all combat veterans are eligible for Vet Center services. For more information about eligibility visit http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/Eligibility.asp. 

There are Vet Centers located in Massachusetts in Boston, Brockton, Hyannis, Lowell, New Bedford, Springfield and Worcester. There are also Vet Centers located throughout New England that Massachusetts veterans can access. To find a Vet Center near you, visit:  http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?State=MA&dnum=ALL&v=1.  

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides service for veterans in crisis. Call 1-800-273- TALK (8255) and press 1 to be connected immediately to VA suicide prevention and mental health service professionals. Visit their website at: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  

Massachusetts SAVE Program: 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, has a Statewide Advocacy for Veterans’ Empowerment (SAVE) program that assists veterans in need of referral services and seeks to prevent suicide and advocate on behalf of Massachusetts’ veterans. SAVE will act as a liaison between veterans (and their families) and the various agencies within the federal and state governments. A team of SAVE Outreach Coordinators will focus on community advocacy, suicide prevention, mental health 

awareness, and referrals. SAVE Outreach Coordinators will be in the field responding to the needs of veterans and their families.   

SAVE Team 

Department of Veterans’ Service 

600 Washington St., Suite 1100 

Boston, MA 02111 

Toll-free: 1-888-844-2838 

Fax: (617) 210-5755 

save@state.ma.us

Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Exemption 

Under M.G.L. c. 64H, s. 6(u) disabled veterans who have suffered the loss of both legs or both arms or one leg and one arm or have suffered the permanent loss of the use of both legs or both arms or one leg and one arm due to their service in the U.S. armed forces are eligible for a motor 

Veterans’ License Plates 

A variety of specialty license plates are available to veterans. Any veteran as defined by Massachusetts law (see Appendix D) is eligible to purchase a veterans license plate. Other specialty plates are available to veterans who have earned certain honors such as a purple heart. Generally, standard fees apply. A portion of the fees is used to fund the Massachusetts Soldiers Homes. To purchase specialty veterans license plates contact your local Registry of Motor Vehicles. Veterans who have a 60 percent or greater physical disability and meet certain eligibility criteria are eligible to purchase disabled veteran license plates. There is no fee for disabled veteran license plates, but they must be renewed every two years. 

To apply for disabled veteran license plates complete the RMV’s Application for Disabled Parking Placard/Plate, available online at: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/20060.pdf. Submit the application with a photocopy of your DV plate letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs stating that your disability is at least 60 percent service connected to: 

Registry of Motor Vehicles 

Attn: Medical Affairs 

P.O. Box 55889 

Boston, MA 02205-5889 

For more information about the different types of veterans license plates, visit the Registry of Motor Vehicles website at: www.mass.gov/rmv/veteran.

Finding Employment 

Veterans Employment & Training Services Program The Veterans Employment & Training Services Program (VETS) is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and provides employment and training services to veterans. These services include access to Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVERs) and the Disabled Veteran’s 

Outreach Program at One-Stop Career Centers across the country. These Career Centers have current information about all the federal, state, and local programs and services available for veterans. For more information, visit: www.dol.gov/vets.  

The Disabled Veteran Outreach Program staff work with One-Stop Career Center staff to provide access to employment and training services for disabled veterans. DVOP services include: 

• Expert assessment of veteran’s needs and current skill levels; 

• Career counseling and guidance; 

• Assisting in providing supportive services; 

• Creating and maintaining relationships with employers in order to develop jobs; and 

• Providing referrals for veterans to job openings and training opportunities. 

Transitional Assistance Program 

The Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) is a five-day workshop intended to help military personnel transition into civilian life. The intensive workshops are facilitated by DVOP and LVER staff and are available regularly at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Fort Devons in Acton, and the Coast Guard Base in Boston. TAP is a service for transitioning military personnel and their family members who are within 12 months of separating or within 24 months of retiring from the military.  TAP workshops include, among others, assessments of employment skills, job search counseling, techniques for stress management, and information related to available veteran services. For more information, contact: 

Brian Ottlinger, Job for Veterans Program Coordinator 

Massachusetts Division of Career Services 

(508) 890-3232 

bottlinger@detma.org 

www.mass.gov/dcs 

Veterans’ Preference 

Veterans who meet the Massachusetts definition of “veteran” (see Appendix D) are entitled to several employment benefits. Under M.G.L. c. 31, s. 26 and 28, and M.G.L. c. 41, s. 112, veterans are entitled to preference in civil service appointments and promotions. Veterans in a public retirement system may also buy back their military time (see M.G.L. c. 32, s. 4(h)). For more information see Chapter 468 of the Acts of 2002. 

Lay-Offs 

Veterans who meet the Massachusetts definition of “veteran” under M.G.L. c. 4, s. 7, cl. 43rd (see Appendix D) have tenure in their job if they hold a state job that is not a civil service position under M.G.L. c. 31 and if they have three years in that position. In the event of a lay-off, veterans have a right to be hired for a similar existing position (unless all positions are held by veterans). Veterans who are civil service employees also have certain lay-off protections.