Veteran Benefits in New Jersey
New Jersey VA benefits are available under the state’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NJDMAVA), an organization working to connect servicemembers with the many resources and programs available to them.
State veterans benefits include transitional housing, resources for homeless servicemembers and nursing homes. Other veterans administration benefits include education benefits, employment resources, outreach events and access to local vet centers. Additional benefits include health insurance, disability pay and pension programs. To learn more about veterans assistance resources in NJ and how to apply for them, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in New Jersey
New Jersey VA disability pay is available to veterans with service-connected disabilities, including mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
To apply for VA disability benefits, service members must complete a specific application, depending on the type of compensation they wish to receive. To make general VA disability claims in NJ, service members need to fill out an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ).
An Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21-534EZ) is needed to apply for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
To apply for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), a veteran will need to submit an Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance (VA Form 21-2680).
Note: Additional benefits for disabled veterans include the catastrophic entitlement program, a service providing disabled military members with $750 per year. To learn more, contact the Veterans Benefits Bureau at 609-530-6954.
Furthermore, military members may enroll in VA life insurance by completing the following applications:
- SGLV 8286 – Servicemembers’ Group Life
- SGLV 8714 – Veterans’ Group Life
- SGLV 8286A – Family Servicemembers’ Group Life
- SGLV 8600 – Servicemembers’ Group Life Traumatic Injury Protection
- VA 29-4364 – Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance
- VA 29-8636 – Veterans’ Mortgage Life
For assistance in applying for veterans life insurance, service members may visit a local Veteran Service Office.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in New Jersey
Federal VA health care in New Jersey is available to eligible servicemembers under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Through the VA health insurance, veterans receive preventative medical services, emergency aid, prescription medications and access to assisted living programs. Service members eligible for VA medical benefits may apply for health care coverage in person at a medical center, online, by telephone or by mail.
To apply for veterans health insurance by telephone, veterans must call 1-877-222-8387, or they may complete an Application for Health Care (VA Form 10-10EZ) and mail it to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
Additionally, NJ health insurance for veterans includes the following benefits:
- Access to VA medical centers and clinics
- Free transportation to and from VA medical facilities, clinics and pharmacies
- PTSD and readjustment counseling
- Access to Women Veterans Health Centers
- Suicide prevention and substance abuse treatment
- The NJ Vet to Vet Helpline
- Transitional housing
- Veteran memorial homes
To learn more, visit a local Veteran Service Office.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in New Jersey
Federal VA pension options are available to low-income servicemembers and their surviving family members. Under these veterans pension programs, service members receive tax-free monetary benefits through the following programs:
- Tax-free pension
- Survivors pension
- Aid and Attendance (A&A)
- Housebound allowances
To apply for VA pension benefits, servicemembers must complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, or 21P-534EZ to apply as a surviving spouse. To apply for A&A or Housebound allowances, veterans must submit medical evidence to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attn: Philadelphia Pension Center P.O. Box 5206 Janesville, WI 53547-5206
Note: Additional veterans pension benefits include the state Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) and the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). To establish eligibility for pensions such as these, servicemembers must complete an Application for Veteran Designation for Pension (NJDMAVA Form 05A-2).
Housing Benefits for Veterans in New Jersey
Several VA housing opportunities are available for veterans to take advantage of, including the VA home loan, property tax exemptions, homelessness assistance, transitional programs and the three Veteran Memorial Homes in Vineland, Menlo and Paramus.
To apply for New Jersey veterans housing assistance through the state’s Memorial Homes, servicemembers must complete an Application for Admission and submit it to the home of their choice with all required documentation.
Note: To learn more about VA housing assistance, applicants may contact the facility directly using the telephone numbers below.
- Vineland: 856-405-4200
- Menlo: 732-452-4100
- Paramus: 201-634-8200
Furthermore, a veterans housing assistance program for servicemembers at risk of becoming homeless includes the Transitional Housing Program for Homeless Veterans. To learn more about the program, applicants may contact the facility at 609-561-0269.
Alternately, referral assistance through the Homeless Intervention Program is available to servicemembers in danger of losing their homes. To learn more, contact 609-530-6868.
Additional housing assistance for veterans is available through the Homeless Veterans Grant Program. To apply for the grant, military members must download and complete an Application for Homeless Veterans Grant Program and mail it to the following address:
DVS-VBB 101 Eggert Crossing Road Lawrenceville, NJ 08625
Note: Other benefits include annual property tax deductions of $250. To apply for the exemption, veterans must visit a local tax assessor’s office. To learn about VA home loan rates or to determine eligibility, veterans may call 888-244-6711.
Education Benefits for Veterans in New Jersey
Several VA education benefits in New Jersey are available to servicemembers and their eligible dependents. These veterans education benefits include tuition assistance, scholarships and financial aid.
The GI bill offers veterans financial assistance to attend college for little to no money. Scholarships for veterans in New Jersey and other education benefits include the following:
- The POW – MIA Tuition Benefit Program
- War Orphan Tuition Assistance
- The Veterans Tuition Credit Program
- Financial aid
- Operation Recognition
- The Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Note: To learn more about these veteran scholarships, contact 609-530-6949. To apply for Post 911 GI bill benefits, complete an Application for Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990).
Employment Benefits for Veterans in New Jersey
New Jersey VA jobs resources include access to local Vet Centers, One-Stop Career Centers and training services under the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP).
However, applicants seeking jobs for veterans may also apply for programs such as Helmets to Hardhats and Troops to Teachers. Other benefits include veterans preference under state law.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in New Jersey
New Jersey VA death benefits include free burial and interment at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown. These VA burial benefits are available to veterans, spouses and their eligible children.
Furthermore, veterans death benefits include military honors, burial flags, headstones and grave liners.
To pre-register for these benefits, servicemembers may complete a Pre-Registration Form and mail it to the following address:
B/G William C Doyle Veterans' Memorial Cemetery 350 Provinceline Road Wrightstown, NJ 08562