Term
| What defines a veteran under Massachusetts state law? |
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Definition
Someone who has served 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release date under honorable conditions.
OR
Someone who has served 90 days of active duty service, one day of which is during "wartime", and a last discharge or release date under honorable conditions (an exception is Vietnam I (02/01-1955-08/04-1964, this period of service requires 180 days).
In the Veterans' Law and Benefits guide, refer to page 2 for more information on periods of service. |
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Term
| What are the requirements for Guard Members to qualify for Massachusetts state benefits? |
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Definition
180 days of active service and have been activated under Title 10 of the US Code and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
OR
Members who were activated under Title 10 or Title 32 of the US Code Of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 33 sections 38, 40 and 41 must have 90 days of active service, at least one of which was during wartime per the chart on page 3 of the Veterans Law And Benefits manual. The members last discharge or release must also be under honorable conditions. |
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Term
| What qualifies Reservists? |
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Definition
| For a Reservist to qualify, they must have been called to regular active duty and served the required time of activity depending on which period they served in, page 3 of the Veterans' Laws And Benefits manual will have more information. |
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Term
| What are Minimum Service Exceptions? |
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Definition
In the event of death or disability, it's not always necessary that a servicemember complete the minimum service requirements for war or peacetime campaigns.
For disability recipients, service connected disability per discharge certificate entitles a servicemember to benefits.
A wartime veteran with a Purple Heart will get benefits.
A service member who died in service under honorable conditions will also receive benefits for eligible family members. |
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Term
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Definition
| 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 Armored Forces of The United States. |
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Term
| What circumstances does a Merchant Marine qualify for benefits? |
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Definition
| Any Merchant Marine who served for at least 90 days in armed conflict between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946 with an honorable discharge from either the Army, Navy or Coast Guard. |
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Term
| There are five disqualifying circumstances that will invalidate a veteran's eligibility. Name the first that involves provisions of the Act Of Congress which was approved on July 9, 1918. |
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Definition
| Any person, who at the time of entering into the Armed Forces of the United States, had his/her intention to become a subject/citizen of the United States and withdrew such intention under provisions of the Act Of Congress (July 9, 1918) |
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Term
| Name the second disqualifying circumstance for eligibility. |
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Definition
| Any person who was discharged from the said armored forces on his/her own application or solicitation by reason of his/her being an enemy alien. |
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Term
| Name the third disqualifying circumstance for veteran eligibility. |
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Definition
| Any person who has been proved guilty of willful desertion. |
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Term
| In the fourth circumstance that can render eligibility invalid, please state which service and what contingent of said service. |
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Definition
| Any person whose only service in the armed forces of the United States consists of his/her service as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary or as a temporary member of the Coast Guard Reserve or both. |
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Term
| Name the fifth and final circumstance in which eligibility is invalidated. |
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Definition
| Any person whose last discharge or release from the armed forces is dishonorable or other than honorable. |
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Term
| There are eight circumstances in which a dependent can be eligible for benefits, name the first. |
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Definition
| Be a spouse of the veteran. |
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Term
| What is the second circumstance for eligibility for dependents? |
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Definition
| Be a widow or widower of the veteran. |
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Term
| Name the third circumstance in which a dependent can be eligible. |
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Definition
| If a parent requires close care by their veteran son or daughter and is therefore in dependent status. |
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Term
| Name the fourth circumstance in which a dependent can be eligible for benefits. |
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Definition
| Be someone who acted as a parent to the veteran for five years immediately preceding the commencement of the veteran's wartime service. |
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Term
| Name the fifth circumstance that a dependent can be eligible for benefits. |
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Definition
| Be a child of the veteran until his/her 19th birthday. |
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Term
| Explain the sixth circumstance of eligibility for dependents. |
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Definition
| Be a child of the veteran aged between 19 and 24 or older while attending an educational institution, whether that be high school, a higher learning organization or any accredited educational institution. |
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Term
| Explain the seventh circumstance for dependents eligibility. |
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Definition
| Be a child of the veteran 19 years or older, and have a mental/physical handicap and are unable to support yourself. This disability must also have occurred prior to child's 18th birthday. |
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Term
| Name the eighth and final circumstance for eligibility for dependents. |
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Definition
| Be a legally adopted child of the veteran. |
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