Important Information | Ocean County Government

Legal Services for Veterans

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

https://www.vljnj.org/
Phone #: (973) 645-1955

VLJ is an award-winning, comprehensive legal services program based in Newark, NJ, with a statewide reach. VLJ's mission is to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged and at-risk adults, children, and families in New Jersey by empowering them with the tools, advice, and pro bono representation to obtain fair and equal treatment within the legal system. The Newark-based organization ensures fair access to the legal system through partnerships with corporations and hundreds of volunteer attorneys. Each year, VLJ’s work impacts more than 3,000 people—including veterans, children, tenants, families, and victims of human trafficking—through 10 pro bono programs. To learn more, please visit www.vljnj.org.

American Bar Association Military Pro Bono Project

https://www.militaryprobono.org/
Phone #: (312) 988-5728

The ABA Military Pro Bono Project connects eligible, active-duty service members with pro bono attorneys to assist with the resolution of civil legal issues. If you are an active-duty member of the military eligible for services through your military legal assistance office (which may include certain members of the Reserves and National Guard), you may be eligible for a referral for legal help through the Military Pro Bono Project.

The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program

https://www.vetsprobono.org/
Phone #: 1 (888) 838-7727

We provide training free of charge to attorneys who agree to counsel and/or represent a veteran/VA claimant or family member before the Veterans Court. As well as receiving the day-long training, attorneys who participate are assigned a case that has been screened for merit and provided a screening memo outlining the issues in the case. Volunteers are also assigned a mentor (a practicing veterans' law lawyer or practitioner) to give advice and share sample pleadings. Attorneys also receive the Veterans Benefits Manual (VBM) and other resource materials.

Important Phone Numbers

Helpful VA phone numbers	Toll-free number	Hours
MyVA411 (VA's main information line)	800-698-2411	24/7
Telecommunications Relay Services (using TTY)	711	24/7

VA Health Care	Toll-free number	Hours
Health care benefits	877-222-8387	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET
My HealtheVet help desk	877-327-0022	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)	800-733-8387	Monday through Friday, 8:05 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET
CHAMPVA Meds by Mail	888-385-0235 or 866-229-7389	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. MT, or Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET
Foreign Medical Program (FMP)	877-345-8179	Monday through Friday, 8:05 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. ET
Quit VET (get help from a counselor to stop smoking)	855-784-8838	Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
MISSION Act	800-698-2411, Select 1	24/7
Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program	888-820-1756	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
Caregiver support line	855-260-3274	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET

VA Benefits	Toll-free number	Hours
VA benefits hotline	800-827-1000	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
GI Bill hotline	888-442-4551	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
Students outside the U.S.	1-918-781-5678	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
National pension call center	877-294-6380	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET
Support for SGLI or VGLI	800-419-1473	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
All other VA life insurance programs	800-669-8477	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET
Special issue hotline (Blue Water Navy Act, Gulf War, Agent Orange, and other information)	800-749-8387	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET

Burials and memorials	Toll-free number	Hours
National Cemetery Scheduling Office	800-535-1117	Every day, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET
Headstones and markers	800-697-6947	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET

Other VA Support	Toll-free number	Hours
Women Veterans hotline	855-829-6636	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET
eBenefits technical support	800-983-0937	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET
Debt Management Center (collection of nonmedical debts)	800-827-0648	Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
Vets Center call center	877-927-8387	24/7
White House VA hotline	855-948-2311	24/7
Veterans Crisis Line	800-273-8255, Select 1	24/7

Services for Homeless Veterans

A report by Monarch Housing says in 2020, there were nearly 400 homeless people reported living in Ocean County. Out of the homeless population, 2.3% of the homeless adults counted are Veterans. There are resources designed to help provide the homeless Veterans of Ocean County with housing and other services. These resources are as follows:

Soldier On

https://wesoldieron.org/
Phone #: 1 (866) 406-8449

Soldier On is a nationally recognized non-profit organization governed by a full-time President, CEO and a volunteer Board of Directors. We work in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies to provide veterans with shelter and support in an environment that offers dignity, integrity, and, most importantly, hope. Our mission is to offer a continuum of care that includes immediate and long-term housing with services delivered where they live. Soldier On’s ultimate goal is to provide formerly homeless veterans with permanent, supportive, sustainable housing – assisting them in their transition from homelessness to homeownership.

Community Hope / Hope for Veterans

https://www.communityhope-nj.org/what-we-do/hope-for-veterans/
Phone #: 1 (855) 483-8466

A proactive approach to helping veterans and their families with immediate support when facing homelessness. We provide rapid re-housing to homeless veterans in addition to keeping veteran households from losing their housing when they are facing eviction. Our first priority is to either assist the family in remaining in their current housing, or, if they are homeless, to quickly locate and help them secure affordable housing. To accomplish this, we assist in the housing search; provide access to emergency housing when possible in the interim; intervene with landlords; provide support and case management services that can include assistance with medical care, mental health or substance abuse treatment, child care and job training. Temporary financial assistance may also be available to help with such expenses as security deposits, back rent, utility payments or bedding and household essentials.

Delivering a rapid response has proven essential to meeting the needs of veterans and their families, especially those we have rescued from living in shelters, emergency motels, their cars or the woods.

Operation Chill Out

https://operationchillout.org/homeless-veterans/
Phone #: (908) 509-1462

NJSFWC President Jan Hanson announced that our Special State Project for 2020-2022 will be Operation Chillout. OPERATION CHILLOUT is New Jersey’s oldest (and only) all-volunteer mobile outreach for homeless veterans, men and women, on mission since December 21, 2000. Its motto is “no borders-no boundaries.” Its mission is to respond to the crisis of homelessness with direct compassionate actions.

Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey

https://www.homelessassistance.us/li/preferred_behavioral_health_of_new_jersey_08701
Phone #: (732) 367-2665

Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey is a State of NJ PATH Provider. PATH stands for Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness. PATH program funds service people with serious mental illness experiencing homelessness. PATH providers are local public or nonprofit organizations that have receive US Government PATH funding to provide services to people who are not currently connected to mainstream services.

Veterans Affairs Homeless Programs

https://www.va.gov/homeless/
Phone #: 1 (877) 424-3838

Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1 (877) 424-3838 for assistance. If Veterans do not have access to a phone or the internet, only then are they to visit their closest VA medical center without calling in advance. The nearest VA Medical Center is James J. Howard Outpatient Clinic, 970 NJ-70, Brick Township, NJ 08724.

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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Veterans Service Bureau