Guide to Veterans’ Laws and Benefits
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Physical copies of Veterans’ Laws and Benefits are available from the Citizen Information Service by calling 617-727-7030, or 800-392-6090 (toll-free in MA only).
Veterans’ Laws and Benefits Guide
Download the latest Veterans’ Law and Benefits Guide.
Resource Guide for Veterans and Service members
Definitions of Massachusetts Veterans
M.G.L. ch.4, s.7, cl. 43 (Massachusetts General Law Chapter 4, Section 7, Clause 43)
To be a “veteran” under Massachusetts law a person is required to have either:
•180 daysof regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions –OR–
•90 daysof active duty service, one day of which is during “wartime” per the chart which follows, and be
discharged or released under honorable conditions, except for Vietnam I, which requires 180 days of active
duty service (see chart on page 2).
To qualify For VET Benefits
Guard members
For Guard Members to qualify they must have either:
•180 daysand have been activated under Title 10 of the U.S. Code and have been discharged or released
under honorable conditions or;
•Members who were activated under Title 10 or Tile 32 of the U.S. Code of Massachusetts General Laws,
Chapter 33, sections 38, 40, and 41 must have served 90 days, at least one of which was during “wartime,”
per the chart on page 3. The members’ last discharge or release must be under honorable conditions.
For Reservists to qualify, they must have been called to regular active duty, at which point their eligibility can be
determined by the chart on page 3.
Minimum service exception (for death or disability)
It is not necessary that an applicant have completed the minimum service for wartime or peacetime campaign
if they served some time in the campaign and was awarded the Purple Heart, or suffered a service-connected
disability per the Discharge Certificate, or died in the service under honorable conditions (see chart on page 3).
Training duty exception
Active service in the armed forces, as used in this clause shall 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 (see chart
on page 3).
Merchant Marine
Any Merchant Marine who served for a period of 90 days in armed conflict between December 7, 1941 and
December 31, 1946, and who received an honorable discharge from the Army, Navy, or Coast Guard of the
United States.
Eligible dependents
The following categories of persons may qualify as dependents eligible to receive veterans’ benefits:
•Spouse of the veteran;
•Widow or widower of the veteran;
•Dependent parent of the veteran;
•Any person who acted as a parent to the veteran for five years immediately preceding the commencement
of the veteran’s wartime service;
•Child of the veteran until their19th birthday;
•Child of the veteran between 19 years and 24 years of age while the child is attending high school, an
institution of higher learning or some other accredited educational institution;
•Child of the veteran 19 years of age or older who is mentally or physically unable to support themselves
and was affected by the disability prior to their 18th birthday;
None of the following shall be deemed to be a veteran:
•Any person, who at the time of entering into the armed forces of the United States, had as their
intention to become a subject or citizen of the United States and withdrew their intention under the
provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918;
•Any person who was discharged from the said armed forces on their own application or solicitation by
reason of their being an enemy alien;
•Any person who has been proved guilty of willful desertion;
•Any person whose only service in the armed forces of the United States consists of their service as a member of
the Coast Guard Auxiliary or as a temporary member of the Coast Guard Reserve, or both;
•Any person whose last discharge or release from the armed forces is dishonorable or other than
honorable.
Chart of definitions
M.G.L. ch. 4, sec.7, cl. 43 as amended by the Acts of 2005, ch. 130
Era of Service Dates Requirement for Veteran Status
PEACETIME12-Nov-1918 –15-Sep-1940
180 days of regular active duty service and a last
discharge or release under honorable conditions.
WWII(Merchant Marine: 7-Dec-1941 through 31- Dec-1946) 16-Sep-1940 25-Jul-1947
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during
“wartime” and a last discharge or release under
honorable conditions.
PEACETIME26-Jul-1947 24-Jun-1950
180 days of regular active duty service and a last
discharge or release under honorable conditions.
KOREA25-Jun-1950 31-Jan-1955
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during
“wartime” and a last discharge or release under
honorable conditions.
Korean Defense Service Medal 28-Jul-1954
(to be determined later)
90 days of active duty service, last discharge under
honorable conditions and the Korean Defense
Service Medal.
VIETNAM I1-Feb-1955 4-Aug-1964
180 days of regular active duty service and a last
discharge or release under honorable conditions.
VIETNAM II5-Aug-1964 7-May-1975
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during
“wartime” and a last discharge or release under
honorable conditions.
PEACETIME8-May-1975 1-Aug-1990
180 days of regular active duty service and a last
discharge or release under honorable conditions.
Lebanon Campaign*25-Aug-1982
(to be determined later)
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during
“wartime” and a last discharge or release under
honorable conditions.
Grenada Campaign*25-Oct-1983 15-Dec-1983
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during
“wartime” and a last discharge or release under
honorable conditions.
Panama Campaign*20-Dec-1989 to 31-Jan-1990
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during
“wartime” and a last discharge or release under
honorable conditions.
PERSIAN GULF2-Aug-1990
(to be determined later)
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during
“wartime” and a last discharge or release under
honorable conditions.
* Naval and Marine DD Form 214 must indicate Expeditionary Medal. All DD Form 214’s must specify
campaign: Lebanon, Granada, or Panama.
For GUARD MEMBERS to qualify they must have 180 days and have been activated under Title 10 of the
U.S. Code -OR- Members who were activated under Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code or Massachusetts
General Laws, chapter 33, sections 38, 40, and 41 must have 90 days, at least one of which was during
“wartime,” per the above chart.
For RESERVISTS to qualify, they must have been called to regular active duty, at which point their eligibility
can be determined by the above chart.
Minimum Service Exception (for Death or Disability):It is not necessary that an applicant have completed
the minimum service for wartime or peacetime campaign if they served some time in the campaign and were
awarded the Purple Heart, or suffered a service-connected disability per the Discharge Certificate, or died in
the service under honorable conditions.
Training Duty Exception: Active duty service in the armed forces shall 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.
Veterans’ Bill of Rights
M.G.L. ch. 115 and 108 CMR (Code of Massachusetts Regulations)
You have a right to:
•File a written application for veterans’ benefits at any time. You can insist upon this right, even if told
that you are not eligible. 108 CMR 4:02 (1);
•Receive assistance from your local Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO) in completing your application
M.G.L. ch. 115, s. 3;
•Receive a full explanation of the services and benefits available under M.G.L. ch. 115, as well as other
available benefits;
•Receive a written notice and explanation of the approval or denial of your application for benefits 108
CMR 8.02;
•Be treated with dignity and respect and to receive accurate, courteous, and timely service;
•Appeal and request a hearing if you disagree with any action taken in your case 108 CMR 8.07 (1);
•Expect confidentiality: personal information will not be collected or used except for the purpose of
determining your eligibility for benefits M.G.L. ch. 40, s.51;
•Receive fair and equal treatment without regard to sex, race, religion, handicap, ethnicity, or national
origin M.G.L. ch. 151B, s.3;
•Preference in public employment M.G.L. ch.31, s.12, 26, 28 and ch. 41, s.112.
link to official Massachusetts Veterans Service Offices list
| Boston (02114) | Santiago | Robert | 43 Hawkins Street, 3rd Floor | Boston | MA | 02114 | (617) 635-3026 | veterans@boston.gov |