From Berks-Mont SourcesOn behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA), I am asking for your assistance in publicizing a benefit that is available to veterans of Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
On April 24, 2006, Gov. Edward Rendell signed House Bill 1820 into law as Act 29 of 2006.
This Bill establishes the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Benefit Act. The program allows compensation to be paid to eligible service members as well as certain surviving relatives of deceased veterans.
The DMVA is interested in awarding this benefit to all eligible veterans and is employing a variety of outreach channels. Contrary to common belief, the DMVA does not have access to Department of Defense records and does not have a roster of those residents of Pennsylvania who served in the conflict. Consequently, we are relying upon advertising and a variety of formal and informal networks to spread the word about the program. This is where your company can help. If you have an employee newsletter, bulletin board or other communication vehicle and would be willing to share information about this program, we would be most appreciative.
A basic overview of the program is as follows:
The DMVA is accepting applications for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program. Any individual who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserve component or the Pennsylvania National Guard in the Persian Gulf Conflict during the period of Aug. 2, 1990 through Aug. 31, 1991 may be eligible.
Eligible veterans qualify for payment of $75 per month (maximum of $525) for each month of active service in theater. A benefit of $5,000 may be awarded to a prisoner of war or certain family members of a veteran who died in active service or as a result of service-connected injury or disease.
The deadline for applying is Aug. 31, 2015.
Details of the program are available on the DMVA Web site www.persiangulfbon us.state or by calling the program’s toll-free number 1-866-458-9182 (TTY 1-866-835-8983 for the hearing impaired).
We have no way of knowing how many of your employees may have served in Desert Storm or Desert Shield. We understand that there may not have been many; however, we would appreciate your efforts on behalf of even a small number of candidates. If you have any questions or concerns about the program, please contact me at 717-265-8631.