Welcome home cash: State senator aims to make sure troops get what's owned them

State Sen. Scott Brown Wednesday filed legislation to ensure that hundreds of veterans receive the welcome home cash bonuses that many have not been collecting.

Earlier this year Brown, a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard, called attention to the more than 50 percent of soldiers returning from post-Sept. 11 tours of duty who are not applying for the $1,000 and $500 bonuses they are entitled to under the state's Welcome Home Act.

Brown's bill, co-sponsored by more than 60 lawmakers, would require the Department of Revenue to provide a box on income tax forms that veterans would check if they have served in Iraq or Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001. The DOR would then share the veterans current addresses and contact information with the Department of Veterans Services.

``We're addressing a very serious need,'' said Brown, R-Wrentham. ``We've been working with the DOR, the (legislative) committees and veterans affairs to try to streamline this and enable the information to get to whoever it needs to get to quicker.''

Soldiers who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq are entitled to $1,000 and those who have served at least six months at home or abroad are entitled to $500.

Veterans may apply for the bonus at the treasurer's Web site: http://www.mass.gov/treasury/veteransbonus/welcomehomebonus.htm

Lindsey Parietti of The MetroWest (Mass.) Daily News can be reached at lindsey.parietti@cnc.com.