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State·2026 Benefits·Updated May 2026

New Jersey Veteran Benefits

New Jersey offers 12 state veteran benefits in 2026 spanning tax, education, housing, healthcare, employment, and recreation. Programs include property tax deduction ($250) ($250/year), nj veterans tuition credit, free hunting & fishing license (Free (100%) or reduced fee). Most require state residency and an honorable (or other-than-dishonorable) discharge; specific eligibility — including VA disability rating thresholds — varies by program.

Check my eligibility for New JerseyBrowse all benefits
12
State benefits
8
Categories
Any
Min. rating
Yes
County programs

Categories

🏛️Tax Benefits(3)🏠Housing & Home Loans(1)🎓Education & Training(2)💼Employment(1)🚗Transportation(2)🌲Recreation & Parks(1)⚑Burial & Memorial(1)📋Other Benefits(1)

🏛️Local Programs by County

4 county-level programs in New Jersey. These supplement state and federal benefits — eligibility and amounts are set by each county.

2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates

Monthly payment amounts effective December 1, 2025. These federal rates apply to all New Jersey veterans.

RatingVeteran aloneWith spouse
10%$180.42$180.42
20%$356.66$356.66
30%$552.47$617.47
40%$795.84$882.84
50%$1,132.90$1,241.90
60%$1,435.02$1,566.02
70%$1,808.45$1,961.45
80%$2,102.15$2,277.15
90%$2,362.30$2,559.30
100%$3,938.58$4,158.17

Rates for 10-20% are the same regardless of dependents. Dependent additions apply at 30%+. View complete rate tables →

Frequently Asked Questions — New Jersey Veteran Benefits

What veteran benefits does New Jersey offer in 2026?▾
New Jersey offers 12 state-level veteran benefits in 2026, spanning 3 tax programs, 2 education programs, 1 housing program, 0 healthcare programs, 1 recreation program, and 1 employment program. 11 are available to any honorably discharged veteran regardless of rating; 1 are reserved for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA. These stack with federal VA benefits.
What benefits are available to 100% disabled veterans in New Jersey?▾
New Jersey offers 1 state benefit specifically for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA, including: 100% Property Tax Exemption (Totally Disabled). These typically include enhanced property tax exemptions, free hunting/fishing licenses, free state park access, and registration fee waivers. 100% disabled New Jersey veterans also qualify for the 11 broader benefits available at lower rating thresholds — 12 total.
Does New Jersey have property tax exemptions for disabled veterans?▾
Yes. New Jersey offers 3 tax-related benefits for veterans. The headline program is Property Tax Deduction ($250): $250 annual property tax deduction for all honorably discharged veterans. Estimated value: $250/year. Whether New Jersey also exempts military retirement pay and VA disability compensation from state income tax varies by program — see the Tax Benefits section above for the full list.
What education benefits are available to New Jersey veterans and their dependents?▾
New Jersey offers 2 state education benefits: NJ Veterans Tuition Credit; NJ POW/MIA Dependent Tuition. Some are tuition waivers at state public universities; others are scholarships for surviving spouses and children of veterans who died in service or were rated permanently and totally disabled. These supplement (and in many cases stack with) the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Does New Jersey offer free disabled veteran license plates?▾
New Jersey's veteran license plate / registration benefit: Disabled Veteran License Plates. Specialty Disabled Veteran license plates for a $15 fee, available to NJ resident veterans with any service-connected VA disability rating. Estimated value: $15 plate fee. Apply through your local DMV / county tax assessor with your VA disability rating letter and DD-214.
Does New Jersey have free state park, hunting, or fishing access for veterans?▾
Yes — New Jersey offers 1 recreation-related veteran benefit, including: Free Hunting & Fishing License. Most state park, hunting, and fishing license discounts are tied to a minimum VA disability rating (typically 50% or 100%) and require New Jersey residency.
How do I apply for New Jersey veteran benefits?▾
Each New Jersey state benefit has its own application — there is no single application that covers them all. Most require: (1) DD-214 or equivalent discharge document, (2) proof of New Jersey residency, and (3) VA disability rating letter if the benefit is rating-gated. Use the application URL listed on each benefit's detail page on this site. For complex cases (claims appeals, dependent benefits), contact your county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for free assistance.
Do New Jersey veteran benefits stack with federal VA benefits?▾
Yes. New Jersey state benefits are administered separately from federal VA benefits and the two are designed to stack. A New Jersey veteran can simultaneously receive federal VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, AND any New Jersey state programs they qualify for. Some specific overlaps (e.g., state tuition assistance) may require exhausting federal GI Bill benefits first; check each benefit's eligibility notes.
Does New Jersey have a state veterans cemetery?▾
Yes. NJ Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Free burial in New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemeteries for eligible veterans and their dependents. Eligibility generally requires honorable discharge and New Jersey residency; some sites accept any veteran meeting federal VA national cemetery criteria. This is in addition to (not a substitute for) burial at a federal VA National Cemetery.
What VA disability rating do I need for New Jersey veteran benefits?▾
New Jersey benefits unlock at every VA rating tier. 11 benefits require no disability rating (available to any honorably discharged veteran). 0 are gated at 10-40%. 0 are gated at 50-90%. 1 require a 100% rating. Veterans rated 100% qualify for ALL 12 New Jersey state benefits.

Find Every Benefit You Qualify For in New Jersey

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