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Veterans Benefits

Under M.G.L. Ch 115 & 108 CMR

The Commonwealth is the only state in the Union that has made generous provisions by state law providing to Veterans in need financial assistance with food, housing, clothing, employment, and medical and burial assistance. These benefits are State mandated benefits and should not be confused with Federal Veterans Administration benefits.

The purpose of the Adams Veterans Services Department is to furnish information, advice and assistance to veterans and their dependents as may be necessary to enable them to procure the benefits to which they are or may be entitled, relative to employment, vocational or other educational opportunities, hospitalization, medical care, pension and other veterans benefits. Please review the information in this section to see if you meet eligibility requirements and therefore, qualify for Chapter 115 benefits. If after review you determine that you are not qualified for benefits under Chapter 115, you should check the VA sections to see if you qualify for VA benefits.

Who Qualifies?

Any Massachusetts resident, male or female whose last discharge or release from his/her service was under HONORABLE condition. If you served in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Cost Guard of the United States for not less than 90 days active service, at least one day of which was for wartime service, provided that any person who so served in wartime and was awarded a service-connected disability or a Purple Heart, or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable, shall be deemed to be a veteran not withstanding his/her failure to complete 90 days of active service.

Wartime Service

Service performed by a W.W.II Veteran, a Korean Veteran, a Vietnam Veteran, a Lebanese peace keeping force Veteran, a Grenada rescue mission Veteran, or a member of the WAAC during any of the periods of time described herein, or for which such medals described below are awarded.

  • World War II Veteran: Any person who performed wartime service between September 16, 1940 and December 31, 1946.
  • Korean Veteran: Any person who performed wartime service between June 25, 1950 and January 31 1955.
  • Vietnam Veteran: Any person who performed wartime service during the period commencing August 5, 1964 and ending May 7, 1975.
  • Lebanese Peace Keeping Force Veteran: Any person who performed service and received a campaign medal for such service during the period commencing August 25, 1982 and ending when the President of the United States shall have withdrawn armed forces from the country of Lebanon.
  • Grenada Rescue Mission Veteran: Any person who performed service and received a campaign medal for such service during the period commencing October 25, 1983 to December 15, 1983.
  • WAAC: Any woman who was discharged and so served in any corps or unit of the United States established for the purpose of enabling women to serve with, or as auxiliary to, the Armed Forces of the United States, and such woman shall be deemed to be a veteran.
  • Persian Gulf Veteran: Any person who performed such wartime service during the period commencing August 2,1990 and ending on the date to be determined by presidential proclamation or executive order, and concurrent resolution of the Congress of the United States.
  • Merchant Marine: Any Merchant Marine who performed such wartime service in armed conflict between December 7, 1941 and August 15, 1945 and who received an Honorable discharge from the Army, Navy, or US Cost Guard.
  • Active Service in the Armed Forces: Active service in the Armed Forces shall not include active duty for training in the Army National Guard, or Air National Guard or active duty for training or as a reservist in the Armed Forces of the United States.
  • Armed Forces: Armed Forces shall include Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force & Cost Guard.

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 declared his/her intention to become a subject or citizen of the United States, and then withdrew his/her intention under the provision of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918.
  • Any person who was discharged from said armed forces on his/her own application or solicitation by reason of his/her 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 his/her 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.

Payments

Chapter 115 benefits shall be paid to Adams Veteran or his dependent by the Town of Adams. No benefits can be paid unless the Veteran has resided in the Commonwealth continuously for three years proceeding the date of application.

  • The amount to be paid to a veteran or his dependent shall afford sufficient relief or support and such benefits shall not be paid to any person who is able to support himself or is the receipt of income from any other source sufficient for his support.
  • The applicant's receipt of income from any source in an amount insufficient for his support shall not bar him from receiving Chapter 115 benefits to supplement the same, if determined necessary by the commissioner and his Agents.
  • No benefits will be paid to or for any veterans who has been DISHONORABLY DISCHARGED from any national soldiers' or sailors' home or from a solders home in the commonwealth.
  • No benefits will be paid to Veterans who neglects to support his/her dependents nor to or for any dependents of such Veteran, nor to or for any Veteran or applicant if the necessity therefor is caused by his/her voluntary idleness or continuous vicious habits, nor to or for any dependents of such Veteran or applicant, but dependents of a deceased Veteran shall not be deemed ineligible to receive such benefits by reason of any negligence of such Veteran, when alive, to support them.
  • No Veteran who is or shall otherwise be entitled to Veterans benefits shall lose his right thereto by reason of his absence from the commonwealth while receiving hospital treatment by the Veterans Administration.
  • No benefits will be paid to a Veteran convicted of a crime, unless the commissioner and your local Veterans Agent / VSO shall otherwise determine.

This information was compiled by: William T. Bradley.

For more information on Chapter 115 benefits, please click on the following link: MGL Chapter 115.