Veterans Service Specialists work to provide Middlesex County veterans and their dependents with information and assistance in obtaining service-related entitlements from federal, state, local, and non-profit groups as well as any that are available from the private sector.

The Veterans Service Specialists maintain close liaison with the Veterans Administration and various veterans’ organizations within the County and provide support for veteran events through the Middlesex County Veterans Advisory Council (MCVAC) under the auspices of the Middlesex County Board of Commissioners.

What We Do:

• Each year, Veterans Services provides various veterans groups and Boy Scout Troops with United States flags and grave markers for Memorial Day placement on the graves of war veterans buried in Middlesex County cemeteries.
• Advise veterans of their rights and the benefits available to them through various programs.
• Guide veterans through the proper channels to obtain benefits.
• Supply and assist with the completion of the forms to obtain various benefits.
• Advise and assist veterans’ widows and children in obtaining benefits available to them.
• Make referrals to other agencies when necessary.
• Call on agencies and organizations which may be able to offer employment assistance to veterans.
• Direct requests for various VA programs such as: disability compensation, pensions, home loans, burial and memorial benefits, education and training programs availability, military discharge papers requests, forms for military medals and records

Special Programs

Veterans Housing Assistance Program (VHAP) - 

The Veterans Housing Assistance Program is a temporary rental assistance program for at-risk or homeless veterans and their families. This program may assist with a security deposit, first month’s rent or rental arrears.  The Veterans Housing Assistance Program or VHAP is under the direction of the Division of Housing, Community Development, and Social Services. To learn more please call 732-745-5918.

Transportation-

Transportation to Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in New Jersey is available Monday through Friday through a coordinated effort with the Middlesex County Department of Transportation (MCAT). Please call 1-800-221-3520 or 732-745-7456 for more information.

• Available twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Lyons VA Medical Center.
• Available three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to East Orange VA Main Hospital.
• Requests for service will be met as resources permit.

Middlesex County Veterans Identification Card- 

A courtesy Veterans ID card is available in the Middlesex County Passport Office to all veterans in acknowledgement of service rendered to the United States of America. To make an appointment, please call 732-745-3405.

What to bring:

1. Original or certified copy of the long form discharge document such as: DD Form 214, Certificate of Release, or Discharge from Active Duty, OR, before January 1, 1950, several similar Report of Separation forms were used by the military services, including the WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD, and the NAVCG 553.
   
   - We cannot accept discharge certificates, only long form separation documents. The discharge document will be permanently recorded and returned to the veteran.
   
   
2. Proof of name and address in Middlesex County in the form of a driver's license, business mail, or property tax bill.
   

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

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

Veteran’s ID Cards issued by the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office are for identification purposes only and are not intended to replace the federal Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) needed to access Veterans Affairs health benefits or other government programs.

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Veteran's Mental Health Helpline

The mission of New Jersey Vet2Vet is to provide 24/7 support to New Jersey National Guard members, active military personnel, veterans, their families, and caregivers statewide.

You may reach the helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by dialing 1-866-VETS-NJ-4 (1-866-838-7654).

https://www.njvet2vet.com/

The NJVet2Vet Peer Support line was created in October 2005 and is the central element in a multifaceted program developed as a collaboration between Rutgers University and the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NJDMAVA). Through close relationships with state and federal departments and agencies and private service providers, this partnership has greatly enhanced the minimum requirements set by the U.S. Department of Defense for the reintegration of military members returning from combat theater. University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC), a division of Rutgers University, provides services and the technology for NJVet2Vet and coordinates the services of all participating organizations.

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Gold Star Family ID Card

Gold Star Family Identification Cards are available from the Middlesex County Clerk's Passport Office to the parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, or children of a member of the armed forces who lost his or her life while on active duty for the United States.

• Gold Star Veteran ID Cards

• East Orange VA Main Hospital
  • 385 Tremont Avenue., East Orange, NJ 07018
  • 973-676-1000

     

• Lyons VA Medical Center
  • 151 Knollcroft Road., Lyons, NJ 07939
  • 908-647-0180

     

• Piscataway VA Community Outpatient Clinic
  • 14 Wills Way, BLDG 5, Piscataway, NJ 08854
  • 732-981-8193

     

• VA Regional Benefits Office
  • 20 Washington Place, Newark, NJ 07102
  • 1-800-827-1000

     

• Secaucus Vet Center
  • 110A Meadowlands Parkway, Suite 102, Secaucus, NJ 07094
  • 201-223-7787

     

• Trenton Vet Center
  • 934 Parkway Avenue, Suite #201, Ewing Township, NJ 08618
  • 609-882-5744

     

• BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery,
  • 350 Provinceline Road, Rt. #2, Wrightstown, NJ 08562
  • 609-738-2400

FAQ

What are the Veterans Benefits For Dependents?