New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes at Paramus, Menlo Park and Vineland

The Department of Veterans Affairs runs three long-term care nursing homes: Paramus in Bergen County, Menlo Park in Edison with 312 beds, and Vineland with 300 beds. Vineland opened in 1899 and is the state's oldest. Who is eligible by statute. N.J.S.A. 38A:23-3, re-enacted by P.L.2025, c.139, admits people "without sufficient financial ability to provide for their support and necessary care in the community": a disabled veteran with two years of New Jersey residence; the spouse of a resident, if at least 50 and married at least 10 years; the unremarried surviving spouse of a member who died an honorable death in service or of a disabled veteran, if married during the service or for 10 years and a resident for two years; and a parent of a New Jersey service member who died an honorable death in time of war or emergency. A veteran who served in a New Jersey military organization can be admitted without the residence period, with preference to two-year residents. What the rule adds. N.J.A.C. 5A:5 defines a veteran as someone discharged other than dishonorably after 90 days of active duty, unless discharged early for a service-connected disability, and sets the order of priority: New Jersey veterans, their spouses and surviving spouses, Gold Star parents, then out-of-state veterans. Non-veterans may not exceed 25 percent of the residents. What it costs. Under N.J.A.C. 5A:5-2.1 and 5-5.1, assets above $24,000 for a single applicant or $110,000 for a couple must be spent on care first, and the monthly fee is 80 percent of net income, capped at the home's daily rate, plus a welfare fee of $20 or 12 percent of what is left, whichever is less. Every resident keeps at least $100 a month. The rule says service-connected disability status "shall be considered" in the fee. Under 38 U.S.C. 1745, VA pays a state home the full rate for a veteran rated 70 percent or more or who needs care for a service-connected condition, and the home must accept that as payment in full, so such a veteran should not be charged a fee. The rule cites repealed statutes. The copy of N.J.A.C. 5A:5 the department posts, and the text the Legal Information Institute carries, name as their authority N.J.S.A. 38A:3-6.4 to 38A:3-6.12 and refer to the Adjutant General. P.L.2025, c.139 repealed those sections and moved them to N.J.S.A. 38A:23-1 to 38A:23-14 under the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. Nothing in the entitlement changed. The department's web page says the homes are open to veterans of "war or peacetime services". Apply to the admissions office of the home you prefer.