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New Jersey benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official New Jersey source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs (NJDVA; split from DMAVA in January 2026) can help you apply for them at no cost.
20 benefits from official sources1 not yet finalized1 unverified1 where sources disagreeLast verified
New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs (NJDVA; split from DMAVA in January 2026)
How to read the labels:In effect confirmed on an official page. Not yet finalized announced or passed but not in force yet. Unverified — confirm with the agency we couldn't confirm it on an official page, so ask the agency.
Help from your state veterans office
NJ Department of Veterans Affairs and county Veterans Service Offices
In effect
On January 9, 2026, the NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs split into the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs (veterans.nj.gov). NJDVA runs Veterans Service Offices in all 21 counties, staffed by accredited VSOs.
Honorably discharged veterans with active-duty service, and qualifying surviving spouses or partners, get an annual $250 deduction on their property tax.
Who qualifies
NJ resident who owns the property and has active-duty service with an honorable discharge, as of October 1 of the pretax year. Reservists and Guard members qualify only if called to active duty; active duty for training doesn't count.
Amount or details
$250 a year.
How to apply
File Form V.S.S. with your local assessor or tax collector.
“File Form V.S.S. and all documentary proofs with your local assessor or tax collector.”
100% Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
In effect
Full annual property tax exemption on the main home of an honorably discharged veteran rated 100% permanently and totally disabled from active-duty service. Unremarried surviving spouses and partners also qualify.
Who qualifies
NJ legal resident with active-duty service and an honorable discharge, who owns and lives in the home, with VA certification of a 100% P&T service-connected disability.
NJ does not tax U.S. military pension or survivor's benefit payments. Combat zone pay is excluded starting with tax year 2021. Federal civil service pensions are taxable, even when based on military service credit.
Who qualifies
NJ residents receiving military retired pay or SBP.
“For Tax Year 2021 and after, combat pay is not taxable in New Jersey (P.L. 2020, c. 93).”
$6,000 Veteran Income Tax Exemption
In effect
Honorably discharged veterans get a $6,000 personal exemption on the NJ income tax return, available on both resident and nonresident returns. A spouse who is also a veteran can claim one too on a joint return.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty. It does not pass to a surviving spouse.
Amount or details
$6,000 exemption.
How to apply
Mark the exemption on the return and submit a DD-214 with the Veteran Income Tax Exemption Submission Form the first time (online upload code VET, by mail to PO Box 440, or by fax).
“You are eligible for a $6,000 exemption on your New Jersey Income Tax return if you are a military veteran who was honorably discharged”
Wounded Warrior Caregivers Credit
In effect
A tax credit for family caregivers of service members disabled in service on or after September 11, 2001. It equals 100% of federal veteran disability compensation or $675, whichever is less.
Who qualifies
Gross income of $100,000 or less (joint/HOH) or $50,000 or less (single/MFS), and a qualifying relationship to the service member.
Amount or details
Up to $675.
How to apply
Schedule NJ-WWC, or Form NJ-1040-HW if not filing a return.
Free registration for service-disabled or blind veterans
In effect
Free vehicle registration for veterans blinded by war service and eligible for state compensation (N.J.S.A. 38:18-1), or with another service-connected disability who qualified for a free automobile from the VA. The vehicle must be equipped as needed and insured in NJ.
Who qualifies
See summary. A valid NJ license is required.
Amount or details
Free registration, which then renews at no charge.
How to apply
Call 609-292-6500 ext. 5076 for an application, then mail the VA-certified application to the MVC Government Unit, P.O. Box 016, Trenton, NJ 08666-0016.
“To apply for free registration, call 609 292-6500 extension 5076 for an application.”
Disabled veteran and Purple Heart placards: free metered parking
In effect
Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-207.10, disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients with an MVC placard don't pay municipal parking meter fees for up to 24 hours. The placard doesn't allow parking in PWAD (disability) spaces.
Who qualifies
Vehicle owner with a DD-214 and a VA disability award letter (DV), or proof of a Purple Heart.
Amount or details
Meter fees waived for up to 24 hours. Renew every 3 years.
How to apply
Form SP-47 at any MVC agency, or by mail to the NJMVC Special Plates Unit.
Permanent veteran designation on driver's license or ID
In effect
MVC imprints a permanent veteran designation on licenses and non-driver IDs. You need proof of an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions (DD-214/215, a county veteran ID, or federal activation orders). To add it at renewal, you must renew in person.
Who qualifies
Honorable discharge, or general discharge under honorable conditions.
Amount or details
Imprinted designation.
How to apply
Visit an MVC agency with 6 points of ID, proof of address and discharge documents.
War Orphans Tuition Assistance; POW-MIA Tuition Benefit; Veterans Tuition Credit
In effect
Children of service members who died in service or from service-connected disabilities, or who are MIA, can get $500 a year for four years. Children of POW/MIA (after January 1, 1960) get free undergraduate tuition at NJ institutions. Vietnam-era veterans (active duty between December 31, 1960 and May 7, 1975) can get tuition credits of up to $400 a year full-time or $200 part-time.
Who qualifies
See summary. War orphans must be ages 16–21 at application and NJ residents for 1 year.
“Free undergraduate college tuition is available to any child born or adopted before or during the period of time his or her parent was officially declared a prisoner of war (POW) or person missing in action (MIA) after Jan. 1, 1960.”
Eligible veterans who pass a civil service exam are placed at the top of open competitive lists, ahead of non-veterans regardless of score. Disabled veterans (10%+ VA compensation) rank above veterans. You need an honorable discharge with service during a qualifying war era (P.L. 2007, c. 115).
Who qualifies
Honorable discharge with a qualifying war-era service period. Disabled veterans must have a 10%+ VA rating. Unremarried surviving spouses also qualify.
Amount or details
Absolute preference.
How to apply
Submit the Civil Service Veterans Preference Claim Form to NJDVA (1-888-865-8387).
“qualified New Jersey Veterans who receive a passing score are placed at the top of open competitive employment lists, ahead of Non-Veterans, regardless of their scores”
NJ residents with a permanent service-connected rating from wartime service for catastrophic disabilities (loss of sight, certain amputations, paraplegia, quadriplegia and similar) get $150 a month. Surviving spouses are eligible too.
“Eligible Veterans/surviving spouses receive a monthly entitlement of $150.”
Housing help, transportation and readjustment counseling
In effect
NJDVA refers homeless or at-risk veterans (609-530-6826), runs Veterans Haven North and South, provides free transportation to VA medical appointments in most counties, and runs a PTSD/readjustment counseling program.
“Free transportation is offered to VA medical centers, clinics, pharmacies, private physicians, regional veterans services offices or job service offices, and other community services in most counties.”
Free hunting and fishing licenses, stamps and permits for disabled veterans
In effect
Resident veterans with any VA-recognized service-connected disability get free hunting and fishing licenses, stamps and permits after a one-time certification.
Who qualifies
Honorable discharge, a VA-recognized service-connected disability, and NJ residency for at least 6 months.
Amount or details
Free. No annual reapplication.
How to apply
Create a CID account at nj.aspirafocus.com and mail the certification application with your VA letter, DD-214 and NJ ID to NJ Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 420, Trenton.
“The State of New Jersey offers free hunting and fishing licenses, stamps, and permits to veterans with a service-connected disability who are residents of New Jersey.”
State park admission and beach vehicle permits for disabled veterans (N.J.S.A. 13:1L-12)
Unverified — confirm with the agency
Not confirmed on an official page: Search summaries conflicted on whether disabled veterans get free general admission or only free beach vehicle permits. NJDVA's Benefits page links only an NJ National Guard hunting/fishing page.
Secondary sources describe N.J.S.A. 13:1L-12 as giving disabled veterans free park admission and parking and/or free state-park beach motor-vehicle permits. Its exact scope couldn't be confirmed from an official source.
Veterans Memorial Homes: Paramus, Menlo Park (Edison), Vineland
In effect
Three state long-term care homes: Paramus (336 residents), Menlo Park in Edison (312 beds) and Vineland (300 residents). They're open to honorably discharged war or peacetime veterans, spouses, and Gold Star parents.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veterans, spouses, Gold Star parents.
Proposed constitutional amendments to raise the $250 veterans deduction (2026 session)
Not yet finalized
Not final yet: Introduced only. It needs legislative passage and a voter referendum. Not law.
SCR143, introduced October 19, 2026, would raise the deduction to $500 starting in tax year 2028. ACR129 and SCR96 would raise it toward $2,500. A constitutional amendment needs legislative passage and voter approval.
This state page was last reviewed against official sources on November 1, 2026. Our watcher re-checks those pages automatically and flags any item whose quoted wording disappears.