VETERANS CRISIS LINES 

Follow the links below to see the many ways you can seek IMMEDIATE help!

  Click Picture to Access Benefits Guide

Find a Service Officer

Accredited American Legion service officers are specially trained to provide expert assistance, free of charge, to veterans and their families. While the majority of a service officer’s work involves application for VA disability benefits, these compassionate professionals also provide information, referrals and resources on education, employment and business, death benefits and other important topics.

VA Plans to Propose Expanded Disability Benefits Eligibility for Veterans Exposed to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune 

(Click Here for Additional Details!)

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it plans to propose expanded disability compensation eligibility for Veterans exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

From 1953 to 1987, water sources at the base were contaminated with industrial solvents that are correlated with certain health conditions.  Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald decided to propose presumptions of service connection for certain conditions associated with these chemical solvents following discussions between environmental health experts at the Veterans Health Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Gulf War Illness 

 Gulf War Report 2017 (Click Here for Report)

 Gulf Studies Packet (Click Here for Packet)

  Click Form to Access Property Tax Deduction Claim Form

NEW JERSEY - GAS TAX INCREASE BILL SIGNED INTO LAW 

INCLUDES A PROVISION FOR VETERANS SEE BELOW!

N.J.S.54A:3-1 is amended to read as follows: 

54A:3-1. Personal exemptions and deductions. Each taxpayer shall be allowed personal exemptions and deductions against his gross income as follows: 

(a) Taxpayer. Each taxpayer shall be allowed a personal exemption of $1,000.00 which may be taken as a deduction from his New Jersey gross income. 

(b) Additional exemptions. In addition to the personal exemptions allowed in (a), the following additional personal exemptions shall be allowed as a deduction from gross income: 

1. For the taxpayer's spouse, or domestic partner as defined in section 3 of P.L.2003, c.246 (C.26:8A-3), who does not file separately - $1,000.00. 

2. For each dependent who qualifies as a dependent of the taxpayer during the taxable year for federal income tax purposes - $1,500.00.

3. Taxpayer 65 years of age or over at the close of the taxable year - $1,000.00. 

4. Taxpayer's spouse 65 years of age or over at the close of the taxable year - $1,000.00. 

5. Blind or disabled taxpayer - $1,000.00. 

6. Blind or disabled spouse - $1,000.00. 

7. Taxpayer who is a veteran honorably discharged or released 6 under honorable circumstances from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, a reserve component thereof, or the National Guard of New Jersey in a federal active duty status, as those terms are used in N.J.S.38A:1-1 - $3,000.

Veterans Haven North - Transitional Housing

"Under the direction of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs, Veteran's Haven North will ensure that homeless veterans are treated and cared for in a dignified, compassionate, and professional manner so as to reach an optimal level of independence and aid them in re-acquiring the life skills and ability to live in the community while maintaining their self-sufficiency, dignity, and honor."

To learn more: http://www.nj.gov/military/veteranshavennorth/

VA health care clinic to open in Newton by September

NEWTON -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has approved an outpatient health care clinic, fulfilling nearly two years of lobbying by local advocates.

It is expected to open by Sept. 1 2016 at 222 High St., (Norman Silbert Medical Arts Building) a medical office building, said Sandy Warren, a public affairs officer for the VA New Jersey Health Care System.

The clinic will be VA's 10th outpatient facility in New Jersey, in addition to its two main campuses in East Orange and Lyons.

Hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

VA Integrated Service Networks

Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN):

VISN 1: VA New England Healthcare System
VISN 2: NY/NJ VA Health Care Network
VISN 4: VA Healthcare - VISN 4
VISN 5: VA Capitol Health Care Network
VISN 6: VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network
VISN 7: VA Southeast Network
VISN 8: VA Sunshine Healthcare Network
VISN 9: VA MidSouth Healthcare Network
VISN 10: VA Healthcare System
VISN 12: VA Great Lakes Health Care System
VISN 15: VA Heartland Network
VISN 16: South Central VA Health Care Network
VISN 17: VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network
VISN 19: Rocky Mountain Network
VISN 20: Northwest Network
VISN 21: Sierra Pacific Network
VISN 22: Desert Pacific Healthcare Network
VISN 23: VA Midwest Health Care Network

VA Customer Service

Customer Service

PATIENT ADVOCATES

Our Patient Advocate program seeks to personally give you and your family the security of knowing someone is available to focus on your individual concerns and rights as a patient. We work directly with all departments on your behalf and can address your questions, problems or special needs quicker. If you, or a veteran you care for has not been able to resolve important issues related to VA through other means of communications, please contact one of our highly-skilled patient advocates listed below who will be eager to help you with your concern in a timely manner.

Amy Merriman

Patient Advocate (Lyons Campus)
908-647-0180 x4595

Kecia Anderson-James

Patient Advocate (E Orange Campus)
973-676-1000 x3399

Patrina Lauria

Patient Advocate (Lyons Campus)
908-647-0180 x4762

Robin Baptiste

Transition and Care Management Patient Advocate
973-676-1000 x4094

Romee Trofort

Inpatient Advocate (E Orange Campus)
973-676-1000 x2169

 
Alternatively, you may contact us through e-mail using the VA National Inquiry Routing & Information System (IRIS).

HealtheVet Program - VA

My HealtheVet is the VA's Personal Health Record. It was designed for Veterans, Servicemembers, their dependents and caregivers. When you register on My HealtheVet, you gain access to tools that can help you track and monitor your health. As a registered user, you can build your own personal health record that you manage and control yourself. 

To learn more, go to: www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web

Morris County Veterans ID Card Program

REQUIREMENTS:

To obtain a Morris County Veteran’s ID Card, you must provide the following:

• One form of identification proving Morris County residency
• Original or certified copy of the DD 214 discharge document

Please note: If there has been a legal name change from the name found on the discharge document, a certified copy the legal name change document, such as a marriage certificate or final judgment from the court, will be required.

The discharge document will be permanently recorded and returned to the veteran.

This service is free of charge for all honorably discharged Morris County veterans in appreciation of their service in protecting our citizens and our country.

The ID card will provide the veteran’s name, address and file number of their recorded DD 214.

Cards are issued by the Morris County Clerk’s Office for identification purposes only. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

For more information on obtaining any type of Morris County ID Card, please call 973-285-6122.

Operation Give Back Discount Directory

Businesses are offering discounts to veterans who show their Morris County Veteran’s ID Card. Any business owners who would like to participate in Operation Give Back can use this registration form.

A PDF of the 2nd edition of the discount directory is also available!

Veteran’s Honorary Designation

Veteran Designation

New Jersey thanks our military veterans who proudly served to protect our freedom. To honor you, a special designation has been created for display on your driver’s license or non-driver ID card.

On July 1, 2016, the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will begin issuing a permanent imprinted veteran designation on driver’s licenses and non-driver ID cards.  You may request your permanent imprinted veteran designation driver’s license or non-driver ID card by following the instructions below.

For Initial License or non-driver ID card

If you are applying for a driver’s license or a non-driver ID card in New Jersey for the first time and would like to include the permanent veteran designation, please visit any MVC agency with the following documents:

• Your 6 points of identification; AND
• Your proof of address; AND
• Your completed driver’s license or non-driver ID application; AND
• Your original or a photocopy of your honorable military discharge or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions documents to show satisfactory proof of your veteran status, which can be any of the following documents:
  • Original or photocopy of your DD-214 or DD-215; OR
  • Original or photocopy of your official county-issued veteran ID card; OR
  • Original or photocopy of your federal activation orders showing service under Title 10, section 672 or section 12301 of the United States Code; OR
  • Original or photocopy of your report of Separation of Active Duty (honorably discharged or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions prior to 1950).

Once all of the above requirements have been met, your driver’s license or non-driver ID card will be issued to you and will be imprinted with the permanent veteran designation.

For Renewals

If you do not currently have a veteran designation sticker

Please note if you wish to obtain the imprinted veteran designation and are renewing your driver’s license or non-driver ID card, and you do not have a veteran designation sticker, you must renew in person at any MVC agency by following the instructions below.

Please visit any MVC agency with the following documents:

• Your 6 points of identification; AND
• Your proof of address; AND
• Your completed driver’s license or non-driver ID renewal application; AND
• Your original or a photocopy of your honorable military discharge or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions documents to show satisfactory proof of your veteran status, which can be any of the following documents: 
  • Original or photocopy of your DD-214 or DD-215; OR
  • Original or photocopy of your official county-issued veteran ID card; OR
  • Original or photocopy of your federal activation orders showing service under Title 10, section 672 or section 12301 of the United States Code; OR
  • Original or photocopy of your report of Separation of Active Duty (honorably discharged or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions prior to 1950).

Once all of the above requirements have been met, your license will be renewed and printed with the permanent veteran designation.

If you currently have a veteran designation sticker

If you currently have a veteran designation sticker on your driver’s license or non-driver ID card and would like to renew it with a permanent veteran designation driver’s license or non-driver ID card, you may do so by visiting any MVC agency.  

Please visit any MVC agency with the following documents:

• Your 6 points of identification; AND
• Your proof of address; AND
• Your completed driver’s license or non-driver ID renewal application.

Once all of the above requirements have been met, your license will be renewed and printed with the permanent veteran designation.

For Replacement

If you currently have a veteran designation sticker

If you currently have a veteran designation sticker on your driver’s license or non-driver ID card and would like to replace it with a permanent veteran designation driver’s license or non-driver ID card, you may request it either in person at any MVC agency or by mail by following the instructions below.  Your replacement will be issued at no fee.

Replacement at an Agency

Please visit any MVC agency with the following documents:

• Your current NJ driver’s license or non-driver ID card that has a veteran sticker; AND
• Your completed driver’s license or non-driver ID application.

Once all of the above requirements have been met, your license will be replaced and printed with the permanent veteran designation.

Replacement by Mail

Please send a letter to the address below, requesting your replacement imprinted veteran designation driver’s license or non-driver ID card, along with the following:

• A photocopy of your current NJ driver’s license or non-driver ID card.

Mail both items to:

NJMVC
225 E. State Street
PO Box 129-Veterans
Trenton,  NJ 08666

Please note: Renewals via this address/PO Box are not permitted.  This is to obtain a replacement only.

Once all of the above requirements have been met, your license will be replaced, printed with the permanent veteran designation, and mailed to you.

If you do not currently have a veteran designation sticker

If you do not currently have a veteran designation sticker on your driver’s license or non-driver ID card and would like to obtain a permanent imprinted veteran designation driver’s license or non-driver ID card, you may request it either in person at any MVC agency or by mail by following the instructions below.  Your replacement will be issued at no fee.

Replacement at an Agency

Please visit any MVC agency with the following documents:

• Your current NJ driver’s license or non-driver ID card; AND
• Your completed driver’s license or non-driver ID application; AND
• Your Original or a photocopy of your honorable military discharge or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions documents to show satisfactory proof of your veteran status, which can be any of the following documents:
  • Original or photocopy of your DD-214 or DD-215; OR
  • Original or photocopy of your official county-issued veteran ID card; OR
  • Original or photocopy of your federal activation orders showing service under Title 10, section 672 or section 12301 of the United States Code; OR
  • Original or photocopy of your report of Separation of Active Duty (honorably discharged or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions prior to 1950).

 Once all of the above requirements have been met, your license will be replaced and printed with the permanent veteran designation.

Replacement by Mail

Please send  a letter to the address below,  requesting your replacement imprinted veteran designation driver’s license or non-driver ID card, along with the following:

• A photocopy of your current NJ driver’s license or non-driver ID card; AND
• A photocopy of your honorable military discharge or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions documents to show satisfactory proof of your veteran status, which can be any of the following documents:
  • A photocopy of your DD-214 or DD-215; OR
  • A photocopy of your official county-issued veteran ID card; OR
  • A photocopy of your federal activation orders showing service under Title 10, section 672 or section 12301 of the United States Code; OR
  • A photocopy of your report of Separation of Active Duty (honorably discharged or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions prior to 1950).

Mail the letter and both additional items to:

NJMVC
225 E. State Street
PO Box 129-Veterans
Trenton,  NJ 08666

Once all of the above requirements have been met, your driver’s license or non-driver ID card will be replaced, printed with the permanent veteran designation, and mailed to you.

Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient Placards

• New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 39:4-207.10) permits exemption from payment of municipal parking meter fees, for up to 24 hours, for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients under certain, specific circumstances:
  • The parked vehicle is owned by the disabled veteran or the Purple Heart recipient.
  • The disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient is the driver or a passenger in that vehicle.
  • The vehicle displays a unique placard issued by the MVC.
• A disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient placard affords the vehicle owner the same privileges as the license plates.
• An applicant for a placard must be the owner of the vehicle in which the placard is to be used, and the placard can only be used by the owner if that owner is the driver of the vehicle or a passenger in it.
• To receive such a placard, applicants must submit BOTH of the following:
  • Proof of disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient status (DD-214, DD-215, award of disability letter, citation awarding Purple Heart, etc.) and,
  • An application (MVC form BA-49).
    • Application is available at any MVC agency, by mail, or by calling (609) 292-6500.
• Placards are available at any MVC agency or by mail.
  • In person, submit proof of status and a completed, signed application (BA-49), or
  • By mail, send photocopy of proof of status and a completed, signed application (BA-49) to:
    • NJMVC
      Special Plates Unit
      P. O. Box 015
      Trenton, NJ 08666-015
• Placards are subject to renewal/recertification every 3 years.
• Placards clearly show their expiration date, which will be on the last day of the month that is punched out. The year of expiration will also be punched out.
• The holder of a disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient placard can also be issued a Person with a Disability (PWAD) placard, if eligible. These unique placards do not replace a PWAD placard.
• The disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient placard cannot be used for parking in PWAD labeled parking spots.
• Applicants who meet the requirements for both a disabled veteran and Purple Heart recipient placard must decide which type of unique placard - DV or PH - they wish to receive. Only one type of these unique placards can be issued.
• The holder of a unique placard will be issued a placard recipient identification card that will match the owner information on the vehicle registration card for the vehicle in use.
• This specific identification card indicates the actual person who is entitled to use the privilege of the unique placard.