The 2022 Legislature passed and Governor Walz signed the first-ever Veterans Omnibus Bill that included funding for a service bonus payable to eligible Veterans who served from 9/11/01 to 8/30/21. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is honored to facilitate this program for eligible Veterans, currently serving service members, or Veterans’ beneficiaries.

MDVA will begin processing payments the week of July 25, 2022. Applicants can expect their mailed check in August.

The application opened July 7, 2022 and will run until June 30, 2024, or until funds have been exhausted.

There are three tiers of the Post 9/11 Veteran Service Bonus:

  • $600 if the Veteran or currently serving service-member served honorably in federal service during the qualifying period (September 11, 2001 – August 30, 2021) and was NOT awarded one of the following medals: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; or Iraq Campaign Medal; or Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
  • $1,200 if the Veteran or currently serving service-member served honorably in federal service during the qualifying period (September 11, 2001 – August 30, 2021) and WAS awarded one of the following medals: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; or Iraq Campaign Medal; or Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
  • $2,000 for the beneficiary of Veteran who served federal service during the qualifying period (September 11, 2001 – August 30, 2021) AND died during the eligibility period (September 11, 2001 – August 30, 2021) as a result of a service-connect injury, disease, or condition, and WAS awarded one of the following medals: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; or Iraq Campaign Medal; or Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

If you have questions, we recommend you contact your County Veterans Service Officer for assistance or to answer any questions. You can also call the MDVA call center, LinkVet, at 888-LinkVet (888-546-5838).

For more information, visit https://mn.gov/mdva/resources/familyassistance/911-service-bonus.jsp

To apply for the bonus, visit https://vetservicebonus.mdva.mn.gov/Home