Governor Pledged to Equip Every NJ County with Dedicated VSO During FY24 Budget Address

TRENTON – With the grand opening of the Union County Veterans Service Office, Governor Phil Murphy on May 31st, announced that all New Jersey veterans and their families now have in-county access to a dedicated Veterans Service Office (VSO), which provide life-changing services through the state and federal government. This opening marks the fulfillment of the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2024 promise to expand the state’s VSOs into all 21 counties. The announcement was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA).

“New Jerseyans who have answered the call to serve deserve our utmost respect and support. By expanding the footprint of our Veterans Service Offices to every New Jersey county, we are ensuring veterans and their families have easy access to the state and federal benefits they have earned,” said Governor Murphy. “Effective today, New Jersey heroes from Sussex to Cape May Counties can visit their local Veterans Service Office to receive critical access to a wide range of services. It is an honor to make these resources and supports more readily accessible for our veterans.”

“New Jersey is investing more, doing more, and achieving more in the area of state-delivered veterans benefits, programs, and services,” said Maj. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and The Adjutant General of New Jersey. “The opening of the State of New Jersey Union County Veterans Service Office completes Governor Murphy’s initiative to establish a point of entry for service members, Veterans, and their families in each of the Garden State’s 21 counties. Expanding access is the cornerstone of our efforts to connect those who have worn the uniform with the benefits that they have earned through their service to the United States.”

Establishing new Veterans Service Offices in Camden, Cape May, Middlesex, Passaic, Salem, Union, and Warren Counties was a priority in the Fiscal Year 2024 State Budget supported by an $825,000 investment. Additional funds have been proposed in the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget for this initiative.

With the expansion to Union County, all 21 New Jersey counties are now equipped with an office dedicated to delivering important employment, education, counseling, housing, social, and medical services, providing critical support to veterans and their families.

“I am proud that the state is opening a Veterans Service office here in Union County giving our 13,000 veteran residents direct access to the state and federal benefits they have earned for their commitment to our country,” said Senate President Nick Scutari. “These regional offices play a vital role helping veterans and their families identify and qualify for needed services which should always remain our top priority for the men and woman who have served and sacrificed for our country.”

“We made it a priority in the budget to expand access to services for our veterans by bringing resources closer to home for them and their families,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “We owe our veterans a tremendous debt. Now, with a Veterans’ Services Office in every county in New Jersey, the State can coordinate support services in every community in New Jersey. This will provide local help in accessing federal assistance in health care and counseling as well as State programs for affordable housing and veterans’ preference for opportunities in Civil Service employment.”

“Veterans Service Offices are hubs for access to healthcare, housing benefits, education, and employment opportunities. With the opening of the Union County VSO, all veterans across New Jersey now have access to in-county services. This will have a positive impact on our communities, especially for veterans who live in transit deserts, are elderly or disabled and cannot travel far,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “The realization of this goal is a testament to the joint commitment by the Murphy Administration, DMAVA, and the Legislature to deliver for our veterans so we can honor their service and sacrifice to our country.”

“Every veteran in New Jersey deserves comprehensive, convenient support,” said Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald. “Now, finally, every county in our state will have trained Veterans Service Officers ready to help any veteran in need of assistance with essential services for education, healthcare, employment, housing, and counseling.” 

“The Legislature has provided the fiscal resources needed to support these county-level offices for veterans and their families,” said Senator Paul Sarlo, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. “These offices help veterans access state and federal benefits that help with medical care, employment, housing and counseling. This assistance can make a real difference in filing claims and identifying services that our veterans have earned.”

“We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they have made to keep this country the land of the free and the home of the brave,” said Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee. “It is important to connect these selfless individuals with services in their own communities. That’s why I’m excited for today’s opening of this latest Veterans Services Office, adding to the growing list of resources available to veterans statewide.” 

“Meeting our goal of establishing a Veterans Service Office in all of New Jersey’s counties ensures that every veteran, from our most urban to our most rural areas, has access to essential state and federal benefits,” said Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Senator Gordon Johnson. “This expansion of Veterans Service Offices will provide veterans with increased support, greater convenience in obtaining essential services, and better outcomes for them and their families. I congratulate the Murphy Administration and DMAVA on getting this accomplished quickly and look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Legislature to find more ways to improve the lives of our veterans.”

“Veterans face a variety of needs, ranging from referrals to appropriate organizations to help getting transportation and obtaining flags to decorate in honor of Memorial Day,” said Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, Chair of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. “Veteran Services Offices throughout New Jersey provide these resources and more. I’m thrilled to know that Union County veterans will now have local, in-county access to these services.”  

“It was an incredible honor to attend the ribbon cutting of the Union County VSO, which completed our mission in establishing a Veterans Service Office in every county across the state,” said Senator Joseph Cryan. “This is a major victory for veterans, particularly those who live in historically underserved communities. I am proud to have had a hand in bringing essential services to more of our military heroes and am excited to witness the transformative work that each new VSO will accomplish.”

“The opening of a Veterans Service Office in Union is great news for veterans in my district,” said Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter. “For veterans and their families, the convenience of getting assistance and assessing services close to home will make a huge difference for them.”

“Our veterans deserve to have easy access to necessary services and programs,” said Assemblyman James Kennedy. “I’m glad to see this office open in my district, and I know that our veterans will be well served.”

“The men and women of our Armed Forces show unparalleled courage and bravery in defending our democracy,” said Assemblywoman Annette Quijano. “Our veterans deserve every available resource and opening the doors of our local Veterans Services Office means they will no longer have to leave the county to get them.”

“There are so many different ways we can honor and support our veterans each and every day,” said Assemblyman Reginald Atkins. “By connecting these individuals with services like assistance with claims and benefits, help dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, or access to referral services for health care and prescription drugs, Veterans Services Offices throughout our state play a unique role in aiding those who bravely served our country. I’m so happy to now have this invaluable resource right here in our county.” 

"From Cape May to the Highlands of Sussex County, New Jersey stands united in support of our veterans. With the completion of opening Veterans Service Offices in all twenty-one NJ counties, we show our commitment to honoring those who have bravely served our country. Together, we stand as one state, grateful for the sacrifices made by our heroes," said David Person, Catholic Charities Veterans Services.

“I would like to express my commendation for New Jersey's commitment to our veterans, demonstrated by the placement of a Veterans Service Officer in every county. This initiative mirrors the efforts by the Veterans of Foreign Wars to ensure that our veterans receive the dedicated support OUTREACH and resources they deserve, honoring their service and sacrifice. We expect that this office will be staffed on a consistent basis,” said Jeff Walding, State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of New Jersey.

"On behalf of the American Legion Department of New Jersey, I applaud all involved for making this happen for our Veterans," said Larry Bishop, New Jersey State Commander of The American Legion.

To further increase access to Veterans Service Offices statewide, DMAVA has also established a toll-free number, 1-844-671-1019, which will guide callers to their respective state Veterans Service Officers. For more information on New Jersey’s Veterans Service Offices, please click here.