SERVING
Those That
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New Jersey State Benefits
Red Bank 732-530-4500 Ext. 548 or after hours 732-239-7526 cell phone, covers Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Trenton 609-882-5133 Ext. 1 or after-hours 609-743-2506 covers Hunterdon, Mercer, Burlington, and Atlantic Counties.
Wilmington, DE 302-998-6695 covers Cape May, Cumberland and Salem Counties.
Willowgrove, PA 215-443-6740 24-hour duty covers Camden and Gloucester Counties.
Navy including Reserves and Merchant Marines - All funeral honor requests must be through Groton, Connecticut. The phone number there is 860-694-3475. They will in turn contact either Naval Weapons Station Earle, or Lakehurst Naval Engineering Station, depending on geographic location of interment site (North or South of Interstate 195.)
Air Force, Air Force Reserves, and Air National Guard - The McGuire Air Force Base office covers the entire state. 609-754-4117.
U.S. Coast Guard contact 757-298-6390.
Comments or concerns may be directed to Military Funeral Honors, 9504 IH-35 North, Suite 320, San Antonio, TX 78233-6635.
On August 23, 2019, new legislation by Senator Joe Pennacchio making discharged members of the New Jersey National Guard eligible for county veterans’ benefits is now law.
Pennacchio’s measure, S-2538, allows former National Guard members discharged with an NGB-22 to access veterans’ benefits, including a county veteran identification card and a “veteran” designation on their driver’s license. Previously, a DD Form 214 from the military was required.
“For years, National Guard members have had a hard time getting recognition for their service,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “All veterans, regardless of how they have served our country, deserve access to the benefits they earned. This Bill ensures equal access for our valued Guard members to the resources and tools they need to live and thrive at home in New Jersey.”
A county veteran identification card can provide various benefits, including money-saving discounts and special “veterans only” deals.
Property Tax Expanded
New Jersey voters gave a resounding "yes" to expand property tax benefits for veterans in the recent election.
The ballot question, which passed with 76% of the vote, makes veterans eligible for a $250 property tax deduction regardless of whether they served during a time of war or peace. It also expands a property tax exemption to include totally disabled veterans regardless of when or where they served.
Discharge Upgrade Bill S. 2815 Passed
The New Jersey Senate voted to pass legislation sponsored by Senators Vin Gopal and Nia Gill that would require the New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA) to assist former service members discharged solely due to LGBTQ+ status with petitions to change their discharge designation.
The Bill, S.2815, would hold the DMVA responsible for helping former LGBTQ service members with petitioning the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with the necessary forms and conditions to have their designation of the discharge changed and recorded as Honorable.
Lowest Ranking
As of: December 2021
According to a new state ranking report by Military.com, New Jersey ranked the worst state for veterans benefits.
Monthly Increase In Payments
Governor Phil Murphy significantly increased state benefits for veterans with certain wartime service-connected disabilities under a new state law he recently signed.
Annual payments to eligible veterans will increase from $750 to $1,800 with payments being distributed on a monthly basis.
Payments to veterans with certain disabilities covered under the Paraplegic and Hemiplegic Veterans’ Allowance program had not increased since 1981. Meanwhile, payments to blind veterans covered under the Blind Veterans’ Allowance Program had not increased since 1971.
Under the new law, veterans who have sustained a total loss of sight, have paraplegia and permanent paralysis of lower parts of the body, have osteochondritis and permanent loss of the use of both legs, have hemiplegia and permanent paralysis of one leg and one arm or either side of the body, have had both hands, both feet, or one hand and one foot amputated, or have lost the use of both feet or both legs due to military service will be entitled to an increase in their allowance.