Welcome to the Office of Veteran’s Services for Union County New Jersey. We offer many resources here for veterans of all ages. The office is here to partner with veterans and their family members and to act as their representative/liaison to help navigate the complicated workings of the Veterans Administration (VA.) Throughout the website you will find links to state, federal & county agencies that you may find helpful. If you have question or concern, please feel free to reach out to us.
Upcoming Events
Coordinator: W. Geoff Smith 908-527-4918
E-mail Address: W.Geoff.Smith@ucnj.org
Fax: 908-352-3980
Monday thru Friday – 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Walk-in appointments not accepted at this time.
10 Elizabethtown Plaza
Administration Building, Elizabeth, NJ 07207
VA Crisis Hotline: Website 1-800-273-8255 (24/7)
The VSO provides information and assistance:
- Provides eligibility criteria for all veteran benefits and entitlements.
- Assists in securing copies of lost military documents, such as the DD-214 (military separation document).
- Guides applications for service connected compensation and pension claims.
- Assistances for veteran widows/widowers and children who are applying for benefits.
- Aids with appeals for claims that have been denied.
- Provides death and burial benefit information.
- Directs annual Memorial Day flag placement on veteran graves throughout Union County.
- Information and referrals to other county, state and federal government services, including housing; mental health; education; job training and placement; financial; and medical/nursing home services.
- Facilitates transportation (wheel chair equipped) to the VA Healthcare System at Lyons and East Orange through the Union County Paratransit system.
- Issues Veteran Parking Placards for use in Union County.
- Maintains a data base of local Union County veterans.
- Produces mixers, breakfasts, educational events, and clinics.
Veteran Placard
In honor of Veterans, multiple locations in Union County offer designated parking spaces for military veterans.
The parking spaces feature signage noting their veteran designation, and may be used by any veteran with a car displaying a special placard provided by the Office of the Union County Office of Veteran Services.
Parking Spot Locations
As of April, 2024
Clark
- Archery Range at Oak Ridge Park – 136 Oak Ridge Road
Elizabeth
- Union County Administration Building – 10 Elizabethtown Plaza
Kenilworth
- Galloping Hill Golf Course – 3 Golf Drive – 2 Spots
Mountainside
- Echo Lake (9/11 Memorial) – 1028 Springfield Avenue
- Trailside Nature and Science Center – 452 New Providence Road
New Providence
- Borough Hall – 360 Elkwood Avenue – 2 Spots
Rahway
- City Hall Parking Lot – 1 City Hall Plaza
- Hamilton Stage – 360 Hamilton Street – 2 Spots
- Public Library – 2 City Hall Plaza
- River Park (Memorial Grove Area) – St. Georges Avenue
- Senior Citizens Center – 1306 Esterbrook Ave
Roselle
- Warinanco Sports Center – 1 Park Drive
Roselle Park
- Borough Hall – 110 East Westfield Avenue
- Michael J. Mauri Park – 16 East Grant Avenue – 2 Spots
- Veterans Memorial Library – 404 Chestnut Street – 2 Spots
Scotch Plains
- Ash Brook Golf Course – 1210 Raritan Road
Westfield
- Colleen Frasier Building – 300 North Avenue East
Application
The Veterans Bulletin
The Official Newsletter of the Union County Veteran Services Office
Join our Veterans Mailing List
Who is Eligible for VA Benefits?
Many New Jersey Veterans are unaware of the numerous federal, state and local program benefits, entitlements and services that are available to them.
You must meet one of the following categories below to qualify for benefits
- An active duty service member
- A veteran (without a dishonorable discharge)
- A veteran’s dependent
- A surviving spouse, child of deceased or disabled veteran
- A parent of deceased veteran
Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient Placards
NJ provides 100% Property Tax Exemption for Veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled. Learn more
New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 39:4-207.10) permits exemption from payment of municipal parking meter fees, for up to 24 hours, for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients under certain, specific circumstances:
- The parked vehicle is owned by the disabled veteran or the Purple Heart recipient.
- The disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient is the driver or a passenger in that vehicle.
- The vehicle displays a unique placard issued by the MVC.
A disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient placard affords the vehicle owner the same privileges as the license plates.
An applicant for a placard must be the owner of the vehicle in which the placard is to be used, and the placard can only be used by the owner if that owner is the driver of the vehicle or a passenger in it.
To receive such a placard, applicants must submit BOTH of the following:
- roof of disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient status (DD-214, DD-215, award of disability letter, citation awarding Purple Heart, etc.) and,
- An application (MVC form BA-49).
Application is available at any MVC agency, by mail, or by calling 609-292-6500.
Placards are available at any MVC agency or by mail
In person, submit proof of status and a completed, signed application (BA-49), or by mail, send photocopy of proof of status and a completed, signed application (BA-49) to:
NJMVC
Special Plates Unit
P. O. Box 015
Trenton, NJ 08666-015
Placards are subject to renewal/recertification every 3 years.
Placards clearly show their expiration date, which will be on the last day of the month that is punched out. The year of expiration will also be punched out.
The holder of a disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient placard can also be issued a Person with a Disability (PWAD) placard, if eligible. These unique placards do not replace a PWAD placard.
The disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient placard cannot be used for parking in PWAD labeled parking spots.
Applicants who meet the requirements for both a disabled veteran and Purple Heart recipient placard must decide which type of unique placard – DV or PH – they wish to receive. Only one type of these unique placards can be issued.
The holder of a unique placard will be issued a placard recipient identification card that will match the owner information on the vehicle registration card for the vehicle in use.
This specific identification card indicates the actual person who is entitled to use the privilege of the unique placard.
Homeless Veteran Assistance
VA Home Loan
The program provides a guaranty for mortgage loans made by private lenders to eligible Veterans. The guaranty backing effectively eliminates the need for a down payment, helping Veterans afford homeownership.
The VA Home Loan program benefit is not a one-time benefit– it’s reusable.
In addition, VA stands ready to assist Veterans who have already obtained a VA home loan. If you already have a VA loan and are facing financial difficulty, please call to speak to VA loan representatives at 877-827-3702. In FY16, of all loans that defaulted, 84% were saved from foreclosure.
Social Security Administration
Members of the United States armed forces receive expedited processing of their Social Security disability applications.
Military service members are covered for the same Social Security survivors, disability, and retirement benefits as everyone else. Although the expedited service is relatively new, military personnel have been covered under Social Security since 1957, and people who were in the service prior to that may be able to get special credit for some of their service.
Special Extra Earnings for Military Service
Office of the Union County Clerk
- Veteran Discounts
- Identification / Licenses / Voter Registration
- Honorable Discharge Identification Cards
- Military Discharges
- Veterans’ Peddlers Licenses
- Vote by Mail for the Military
Learn more at ucnj.org/ctyclerk or by calling 908-527-4787
Federal ID Cards
Disability Compensation
Service-connected disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to Veterans for a disability (or disabilities) that either:
- Arose during service
- Was worsened or aggravated by service
- Is presumed by VA to be related to military service.
To receive disability compensation, you must have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
Transportation for Veterans
Union County Paratransit offers transportation for Union County’s veterans at a fee of $3.00 for a one-way trip and $6.00 for a round trip. Learn more.
Appointments for rides must be made in advance by calling the Paratransit scheduling office at 908-241-8300. Call Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Try to schedule appointments between 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. The Paratransit system offers curb-to-curb service only. Assistance may be provided by an aide traveling with the veteran.
Education and Training
Union County Human Services
Feds Hire Vets
Website fedshirevets.gov/index.aspx
Phone 202-606-7304
Health Clinics
VA Healthcare System at Lyons
151 Knollcroft Road
Lyons, NJ 07939
908-647-0180
VA Healthcare System at East Orange
385 Tremont Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07018
973-3434 or 1455
DD-214
Contact the National Archive’s National Personnel Record Center
- DD-214
- Website
- Address National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Ave, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
- Phone 314-801-0800
- Fax 314-801-9195
- Disability Letter
- Call – 1-800-827-1000
- Website
End Of Life
- Wills and Probate
- Administration of an Estate
When a veteran passes away, the Union County Office of Veterans’ Affairs will help in obtaining the following VA benefits:
- headstone and markers, burial flags
- reimbursement of burial expenses and burial in VA National Cemetery.
VA covers the cost of headstones/burials in VA cemeteries, and costs are not covered in private cemeteries.
We are here to help you file all of the necessary paperwork to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.
Learn more at ucnj.org/surrogate or by calling 908-527-4280.