State benefits
New Jersey veterans are eligible for 9 state and federal benefit programs, including Healthcare, Housing, Employment, and more. Most state programs require state residency and a VA-issued disability rating; eligibility thresholds vary by program. This page lists every benefit with source URLs and application paths.
9 programs7 categoriesOfficial source linked on every program
Healthcare
Value: Subsidized skilled nursing and memory care
New Jersey operates three state veterans memorial homes in Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland providing skilled nursing care and memory care for eligible veterans.
Note: Three facilities: Menlo Park, Paramus, Vineland. VA per diem offsets costs.
Housing
Value: Free transitional housing and support services
New Jersey provides transitional housing assistance for homeless veterans through the Veterans Haven program, with residential facilities in Glen Gardner (North) and Winslow Township (South).
Note: Two locations: Veterans Haven North (Glen Gardner) and South (Winslow Township). Provides housing, job training, and support services for homeless veterans.
Employment
Value: Absolute hiring preference for civil service positions
New Jersey grants veterans an absolute preference in civil service hiring for state, county, and municipal positions. Disabled veterans receive additional absolute preference, ranking ahead of non-disabled veterans.
Note: NJ has one of the strongest veteran employment preferences — absolute preference, not just points. Disabled veterans rank above non-disabled veterans.
Financial
Value: $500–$1,000 one-time bonus (stateside vs. in-theater service)
Provides a one-time cash bonus to New Jersey veterans who served during specific wartime periods (including the Persian Gulf War era). Bonus amounts vary based on service location: veterans who served in-theater (hostile fire zone) receive a higher bonus than those who served stateside during the qualifying period.
Note: One-time payment — check eligibility for your specific period of service. Must have been a NJ resident at time of entry into service or at time of application. Apply through DMAVA.
Tax
Value: Full property tax exemption
Veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating are fully exempt from property taxes on their primary residence in New Jersey.
Note: One of the most valuable state veteran benefits in the country given NJ's high property taxes. Must be 100% P&T. Surviving spouses retain exemption if they do not remarry and continue to reside in the home.
Value: $250 annual property tax deduction
Veterans who served during a period of war and meet residency requirements may deduct $250 annually from their property tax bill. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans also qualify.
Note: Available to all wartime veterans regardless of disability rating. File with your municipal tax assessor. Surviving spouses and civil union partners also qualify if they meet residency requirements.
Recreation
Value: Free admission to all state parks and historic sites
New Jersey provides free admission to all state parks, forests, recreation areas, and historic sites for all veterans and active-duty military.
Note: Free for all veterans and active duty. Covers all state parks, forests, and historic sites.
Value: Free hunting and fishing licenses (100%)
New Jersey veterans with a 100% service-connected disability receive free hunting and fishing licenses. Veterans with lesser disabilities receive discounted licenses.
Note: 100% disabled veterans get free licenses. Lower ratings may get discounts.
Other
Value: Free burial for veterans (saves $5,000–$10,000+)
The Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown is the largest state veterans cemetery in the nation, providing burial at no cost for eligible veterans.
Note: Largest state veterans cemetery in the nation. Located in Arneytown, Burlington County.
“Two locations: Veterans Haven North (Glen Gardner) and South (Winslow Township). Provides housing, job training, and support services for homeless veterans.”
Questions
New Jersey offers 9 veteran benefit programs spanning Healthcare, Housing, Employment, Financial, Tax, Recreation, Other. Eligibility requirements vary by program — most require a VA-issued disability rating and state residency.
Many New Jersey benefit programs require a minimum VA disability rating — commonly 10%, 50%, or 100%. Some programs, such as education assistance or employment preference, have no rating requirement. Check each benefit listing on this page for the specific threshold.
Most New Jersey state benefits require current state residency. Some programs require continuous residency for one or more years. Federal VA benefits are available to all eligible veterans regardless of state of residence.
Yes — in most cases, state and federal veteran benefits are stackable. For example, a property tax exemption from New Jersey does not reduce your federal VA disability compensation. Some federal needs-based programs may offset certain state payments; review each program's terms.
Applications for New Jersey state benefits are typically submitted through the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs or the administering state agency. Application links are listed directly on each benefit card on this page. Federal VA benefits are applied for at VA.gov.
Yes — New Jersey has at least one property tax benefit listed for veterans. Eligibility typically requires a minimum disability rating and state residency. See the Tax section on this page for the current threshold and application link.
Most New Jersey state benefit programs require an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge. Most federal VA benefits require a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable, but the GI Bill is stricter: the Montgomery GI Bill for active duty requires an honorable discharge, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill ordinarily does too. With an other-than-honorable discharge, VA makes a character-of-discharge determination, and some benefits may still be available; consult a VSO or accredited claims agent for individual eligibility.
Agency · Healthcare benefit source — New Jersey
Agency · Recreation benefit source — New Jersey
CFR · Federal regulations governing VA disability compensation and pension
Agency · Official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits portal
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