War Participation Bonus

For help in choosing or applying for any of these programs, contact the nearest Veteran Service Officer. Our VSOs are ready and willing to assist in determining your eligibility, discussing available options, and submitting the appropriate application/s.

To apply for any of the following bonuses, follow the below link. Individuals currently on active duty may apply for the Persian Gulf and or Global War on Terrorism Bonus prior to discharge by attaching a completed Armed Forces Certificate to their application.

• War Bonus Application
• Armed Forces Certificate (PDF, 16 KB)

A one time bonus calculated at $10 per month for domestic service and $15 per month for foreign service is payable to a veteran who was a resident of Illinois at time of entering service, served at least 60 days on active duty between September 16, 1940 and September 3, 1945, and received an honorable discharge. Survivors are entitled to a benefit of $1,000, if the veteran's death was service-connected and as a result of hostile action with enemy forces.

A one time $100 bonus is payable to Veterans who serve in Korea between June 27, 1950 - July 27, 1953, were residents of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering service, received the Korean Service Medal, and received an Honorable Discharge.

A one time $100 bonus is payable to claimants who were residents of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering service, received the Vietnam Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Vietnam, and received an Honorable Discharge for service during one of the following periods:

• Vietnam: January 1, 1961 - March 28, 1973
• Vietnam Frequent Wind: April 29, 30, 1975

Survivors are entitled to a benefit of $1,000, if the veteran's death was classified as service-connected by the US Department of Veterans' Affairs, due to exposure to herbicide commonly referred to as Agent Orange.

A one time $100 bonus is payable to veterans who serve between August 2, 1990 - November 30, 1995, were residents of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering service, received the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and received an Honorable Discharge.

Individuals currently on active duty who served in the Persian Gulf may apply prior to discharge by also including the Armed Forces Certificate.

A one time $100 bonus is payable to veterans who serve on or after September 11, 2001 and were residents of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering service. 

The claimant must also have served at least 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days of foreign or sea service and be in receipt of one of the following medals:

• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal

Individuals currently on active duty who served in the Global War on Terrorism may apply prior to discharge by also including the Armed Forces Certificate.

Persons on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States or employed by the United States Government on, or after, January 1, 1961, who were residents of Illinois 12 months prior to entry, and who were taken and held prisoner by hostile forces in Southeast Asia, are entitled to a one time payment of $50 for each month or portion thereof while being held captive.