Bill
Bill > S1553
NJ S1553
NJ S1553Makes annual compensation paid to surviving spouses of certain blind or disabled veterans payable from date of veteran's death.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the payment of the $750 annual compensation payable to a surviving spouse of a blind or severely disabled wartime veteran to begin from April 9, 1985 for veterans who died before that date and from the date of the veteran's death, regardless of when the surviving spouse files the application for this benefit, for veterans who died on or after that date. Surviving spouses were first made eligible for this benefit on April 9, 1985 by P.L.1985, c.116. Under current regulations of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, a surviving spouse is eligible for this benefit from the date of application. This lifetime benefit is statutorily available to a veteran who was blinded in service during any war including specifically World War II and the Korean Conflict, or who was severely disabled as a result of service during any war including specifically World War II, the Korean conflict, or Vietnam, although the department has made this benefit available to veterans who served in other wars or military emergencies. A veteran who applied for this benefit within one year of military discharge received payments beginning with that year. A veteran who applied after one year received payments from the date of application. The sponsor states that this same requirement that payments begin from the date of application should not apply to surviving spouses because at the time of the veteran's death it is known that he or she was blind or severely disabled as a result of wartime service.
AI Summary
This bill ensures that surviving spouses of certain blind or disabled wartime veterans receive their annual $750 compensation benefit retroactively from the date of the veteran's death, rather than from the date the surviving spouse applies for the benefit, which is the current practice. For veterans who died before April 9, 1985, the benefit will be payable from that date, and for those who died on or after April 9, 1985, it will be payable from the veteran's date of death, regardless of when the surviving spouse files their claim. This change aims to correct a perceived inequity, as the veteran's eligibility for blindness or severe disability due to wartime service is known at the time of their death. The Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs will be responsible for notifying eligible surviving spouses and ensuring accrued payments are made within 90 days of the bill's enactment.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1553 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1553_I1.HTM |
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