Frequently Asked Questions

Here at the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, we are committed to providing the Veterans of Ocean County with information on services and programs that promote their health and well-being.

What does the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau do?

Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau provides numerous services to Veterans’, widows’ and families’ of Veterans. The Veterans Service Bureau provides Ocean County Veterans and their dependents with information and guidance in filing claims. When you come into the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, you will be referred to a Veterans’ service officer for assistance. Contact the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau at (732) 929-2096, or visit the Toms River One-Stop Center or Southern Resource Center Locations for more information.

What is the role of a Veterans’ Service Office?

The Ocean County Veterans Service Officers, accredited through the National Association of Veterans Service Officers, have a compassionate understanding of the problems, which confront Veterans’, widows’, widowers’, and children. The Ocean County Veterans Service Officers will apply specialized knowledge in the best way suited to the needs of every individual Veteran or other beneficiary who comes to the office for assistance. Services include initiating and filing Veterans’ claims with both the state and federal government, filing for death benefits, filing for burial benefits and filing for other entitlements.

What services are available through your office?

We are the center for information regarding the latest Veterans Benefits, Discharge Upgrades, Transportation, Health Care, Pre-Registration to Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Temporary and Permanent Housing, Homeless and Transitional Services, Mental Health Programs, Property Tax Deductions/Exemptions, Caregiver Resources, and much more.

Is there a fee/charge for your services?

Here at the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, there is no charge for any of our services

What transportation services are available to Veterans in Ocean County?

The Veterans Service Bureau also facilitates transportation to out-of-county V.A. medical centers cooperatively with our own Ocean Ride Transportation. Ocean Ride provides Veterans’ FREE transportation for going to VA medical facilities, such as East Orange, Lyons, Philadelphia and Marlton (on specific days/times).

Visit https://co.ocean.nj.us/OC/Transportation/frmVeteransTransportation.aspx to see the full transportation schedule.

How do I Pre-Register for BG William C. Doyle Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery?

The BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, which is managed by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, covers 225 acres and was designed to accommodate 171,000 veterans and their family members. It is open to eligible New Jersey Veterans; residents who are members of the Armed Forces or reserve units on active duty at the time of death; certain dependents and certain merchant marines and civilians who have been awarded veteran’s status.

Pre-registration for interment at Doyle Cemetery is encouraged. It can help avoid confusion and possible delays at the time of need. Pre-registration may be accomplished in person either at the cemetery or at any Veterans Service Office. Download and complete the Pre-Registration Form.

For general information and interments call: (609) 738-2400.
To locate a grave, call (609) 738-2400, or visit the Administration Office.

How can I apply for VA Health Care?

The VA Health Care System will create a medical benefits package unique to each Veterans’ needs. These packages will include care and services to help treat illnesses and injuries, prevent future health problems, improve your ability to function and enhance your quality of life. To see if you’re eligible for VA Health Care, download and complete the VA Form 10-10EZ Application for Health Benefits.

How can I get a County Veterans’ ID Card?

Honorably discharged veterans can now obtain a free photo ID Card from the Ocean County Clerk''''s Office that makes it easier to take advantage of a wide variety of veterans discount programs.

Veteran must provide his or her DD-214 Discharge Papers at either the County Clerk''''s Office on 118 Washington Street in Toms River or The Southern Service Center at 179 South Main Street in Manahawkin Monday - Friday between 8am - 4:30pm. ID Cards are also available at the County Connection at the Ocean County Mall at 1201 Hooper Avenue in Toms River. 7 days a week, mall hours.

NOTE: The ID Cards are not designed to replace federal veterans identification needed to access government programs such as VA hospitals and clinics.

MILITARY DISCHARGES: (732) 929 2032
Honorable Discharges form DD-214 previously filed with the County Clerk are available upon request.

Discounts for Ocean County Veterans

Ocean County, NJ is a beautiful coastal destination with 44 miles of beaches, 42 miles of bay, exciting attractions, outdoor adventure and so much more.

We welcome military travelers and families to visit us! Half of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is located in Ocean County and we are dedicated to our military neighbors and tourists. To show our appreciation, our businesses, services and tourism attractions are providing special discounts to active duty, reserve & guard, and veterans who would like to enjoy and explore our part of the NJ Shore! Simply provide your military ID to receive the offers listed on this site. Thank you for your service!! View the full list of discounts offered

Veterans Peddlers License

Veterans residing in Ocean County may apply for a Veterans Peddlers License. Veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States has been honorably discharged from active military service of the United States and who is a resident in the State are eligible. Copy of WD Form 93 or DD Form 214 (Separation from Active Duty) is presented to the County Clerk in which the veteran resides. The County Clerk forwards the original copy to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for verification.

For additional information call (732) 929-2032.

How can I find out the Presumptive Service-Connected Conditions through the VA?

The VA presumes that certain disabilities were caused by military service. This is because of the unique circumstances of a specific Veteran’s military service. If a presumed condition is diagnosed in a Veteran within a certain group, they can be awarded disability compensation.

If you served continuously for at least 90 days and are diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) after discharge, you can establish service connection for the disease.

Veterans in the following groups may qualify for “presumptive” disability benefits:

Former prisoners of war who:
- Have a condition that is at least 10 percent disabling
Vietnam Veterans who were:
- Exposed to Agent Orange
- Served in the Republic of Vietnam or on a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia between Jan. 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975
Atomic Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation and who experienced one of the following:
- Participated in atmospheric nuclear testing
- Occupied or were prisoners of war in Hiroshima or Nagasaki
- Served before Feb. 1, 1992, at a diffusion plant in Paducah, Kentucky, Portsmouth, Ohio or Oak Ridge, Tennessee
- Served before Jan. 1, 1974, at Amchitka Island, Alaska
Gulf War Veterans who:
- Served in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations
- Have a condition that is at least 10 percent disabling by Dec. 31, 2021
Gulf War Deployed Veterans who:
- Served in the Southwest Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War
- Served in Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti or Uzbekistan on or after September 19, 2001

View the specific presumptive conditions for the above qualifying time-frame

Civil Service Preference for Veterans

Eligible Veterans are provided an absolute Veterans Preference when applying for a New Jersey civil service position. This means that 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.

Eligible Disabled Veterans are given the highest preference, being placed above both Veterans and Non-Veterans on open competitive employment lists. Veterans Preference can be established as late as 8 days prior to an open competitive employment list being issued.

To establish Veterans Preference, download and complete the Civil Service Veterans Preference Claim Form

How can I get a copy of my DD Form 214?

How can I get a copy of my DD Form 214?
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation's record keeper. The National Archives is the U.S. Government’s collection of documents that records important events in American history. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the Government agency that preserves and maintains these materials and makes them available for research.

Recent military service and medical records are not online. However, most veterans and their next of kin can obtain free copies of their DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) and military service records. To request a copy of your DD Form 214 and/or military service records, download and complete the SF 180 Request Pertaining to Military Records.

$250 Property Tax Deduction Information

Effective December 4, 2020, State law (P.L. 2019, c. 413) eliminates the wartime service requirement for the $250 Veterans Property Tax Deduction. Veterans must have active duty service with an honorable discharge. Reservists and National Guard personnel must be called to active duty service to qualify. Active duty for training continues to be ineligible.

If you are an honorably discharged veteran with active duty military service, you may qualify for an annual $250 Property Tax Deduction.

You also may qualify if you are a surviving spouse/civil union/domestic partner of an honorably discharged veteran with active duty military service.

To apply for the $250 Property Tax Deduction, download and complete the Form VSS.

Bring the completed form with the required documentation to your local tax assessor.

100% Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Effective December 4, 2020, State law (P.L. 2019, c. 413) eliminates the wartime service requirement for the 100% Totally and Permanently Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption. Veterans must have active duty military service with an honorable discharge. Reservists and National Guard personnel must be called to active duty service to qualify. Active duty for training continues to be ineligible.

If you are an honorably discharged veteran who was 100% permanently and totally disabled during active duty service, you may qualify for an annual property tax exemption on your principal or primary residence (main home).

If you are a surviving spouse or civil union/domestic partner of an honorably discharged veteran who was 100% permanently and totally disabled during active duty service, you also may qualify.

To apply for the 100% Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption, download and complete the Form DVSSE.

Bring the completed form with the required documentation to your local tax assessor.

$6,000 Income Tax Exemptions for Veterans

You are eligible for a $6,000 exemption ($3,000 for Tax Years 2017 and 2018) on your New Jersey Income Tax return if you are a military veteran who was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States on or any time before the last day of the tax year. Your spouse (or civil union partner) is also eligible for an exemption if they are a veteran who was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances and you are filing a joint return. This exemption is in addition to any other exemptions you are entitled to claim and is available on both the resident and nonresident returns. You cannot claim this exemption for a domestic partner or for your dependents.

Note: This exemption can only be claimed by qualifying veterans. It does not pass through to a surviving spouse.

To apply for the $6,000 Income Tax Exemptions for Veterans, download and complete the Veteran Income Tax Exemption Submission Form.

Motor Vehicle Commission Driver’s License, Veteran Designation and Special Privileges

New Jersey thanks our military veterans who proudly served to protect our freedom. To honor you, a special designation has been created for display on your driver license or non-driver identification (ID) card. The Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) began issuing a permanent imprinted veteran designation on driver licenses and non-driver ID cards.

New Jersey provides special consideration for active duty military personnel. Special privileges include License, Registration and Inspection Extension, Registration Refunds, Free Registration for Service-Disabled or Blind Veterans, Disabled Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient Placards.

To apply for free registration, call 609 292-6500 for an application.

Veterans Designation

Active Duty Military Personnel and Veterans Special Privileges

Military Personnel License Plates

A message from Director Barbara Jo Crea
		Director Barbara Jo Crea Barbara “Bobbi” Jo Crea, a dedicated and active Ocean County leader will serve as the 2024 Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. Read more
		Deputy Director Gary Quinn Commissioner Gary Quinn serves as the Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners for 2024. Read more
		Commissioner John P. Kelly Commissioner John P. Kelly has been an Ocean County elected official since 1993. He was sworn into his 11th three-year term on the Board of Commissioners during the Board’s organization meeting Jan. 4, 2023. Read more
		Commissioner Virginia E. Haines Commissioner Virginia E. “Ginny” Haines, a lifelong resident of Ocean County, brings years of public service and leadership experience to the Board of Commissioners. She was sworn into her third three-year term on the Board during its organization meeting Jan. 4, 2023. Read more
		Commissioner Frank Sadeghi Commissioner Frank Sadeghi was sworn to his first three year term on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners during the Board’s reorganization meeting Jan. 3, 2024. A successful businessman and a long-time public servant, Commissioner Sadeghi brings years of leadership experience to the Board. Read more
Michael J. Fiure, County Administrator 101 Hooper Ave. Admin Building Toms River, NJ 08754 Phone: (732) 929-2147 \| Email: MFiure@co.ocean.nj.us
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