3-minute read

As I walked into a local diner on a recent July morning, I encountered a trio of gentlemen in their 70s conversing about years gone by, expensive medical appointments, and the cost of a scrambled egg. One of the gentlemen was wearing a U.S. Army Veteran hat, and he reminded me of many of the battered but proud soldiers I have encountered in the Philadelphia VA who are often by themselves or homeless on the streets of cities in New Jersey.  I wondered how they were navigating the inflated economic situation in our state with the high cost of living, ridiculous medical bills and rent and mortgage payments that are among the highest in the nation. 

The answer is that they often aren’t. As a nation, a disproportionate 13% percent of our homeless population is made up of Veterans. In New Jersey, our veterans are decreasing in number at a rate of -2.4% per year, with less than half remaining by 2048. Suicide rates continue to increase as many veterans feel ineffective in life and a burden on others. In addition, the aging population is experiencing rising rates of disease and mortality in Vietnam- and Cold War-era populations who sacrificed despite the unpopular reception that they received at home.  

To address these needs, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee was successful after 15 years in moving legislation forward on a state level that will assist disabled veterans with the high property taxes they face by increasing the deductions over the next four years to $2,500 by 2028. This is the first proposal of its kind to advance since last century and doesn’t apply to disabled veterans renting property, living in a community setting or those that were discharged in other than honorable circumstances. Other limitations include continued inflation and the fact that it is only a proposal, not a law. If we must wait another 20 years for revision and improvement to this policy or other supportive measures, most of our Vietnam era heroes may be gone. 

The Social Security benefits all Americans receive and heavily rely on in their golden years is an excellent example of a policy that considers Cost of Living Allowances, or COLAs, by the state to ensure equity. Conversely, Veterans’ Compensation COLA of 2024 adjusts the rates for Veterans in each state equally but not equitably. For instance, in New Jersey, the average monthly rent or mortgage payment is above $1,800; in North Dakota, it is around $800.  A disabled veteran gets the same compensation from the government in both locations with the current scale despite the drastic differences in COLA. This equates to a $1,000 difference monthly while only looking at housing expenses, which could easily result in a Veteran becoming unhoused or unable to support children or grandchildren in their pursuits. New Jersey legislators must push for a policy to adapt Veteran’s disability benefits to match the high tax rates and COLA. Opposition to increases in veteran disability compensation in New Jersey includes a segment of society that feels that the compensation deters the community from working later into life and potentially suffering stress and depression through inactivity. Until other veteran benefits programs like Vocational Rehabilitation are accessible and property tax reductions are enacted, disability compensation is the most feasible solution to avoid veteran poverty. Rep. Andy Kim of the 3rd District said, “We owe it to our veterans to find ways to fill in the gaps in their benefits and deliver the support they have earned,” to which I respectfully respond, “Deeds Not Words.” We should get more familiar with our local legislators when supporting veteran legislation, knowing the devasting outcomes of homelessness, mental health issues and worse that can develop through isolation and struggles at home. 

Another example of a New Jersey politician who seems to understand this concept is Assemblyman Brian Bergen, who delivered a package of bills for New Jersey veterans in 2021 to acknowledge the sacrifice of Veterans as they return home. Unfortunately, they appear to have received opposition based on political affiliations alone. These stagnated proposals include state tuition for qualifying veterans, business grants, proportional tax assistance, and relocation assistance for veterans interested in moving to our great state.  Ultimately, New Jersey needs to harness the strengths of our service member leaders to benefit our communities versus ostracizing them or forcing them to seek financial refuge elsewhere. 

The inability to bypass ideological differences in Trenton reminds me of a song my grandparents introduced about respecting each other called “The Living Years.”  In that song, Mike Rutherford (from Mike in the Mechanics) states, “Say it loud (say it loud), Say it clear (say it clear), You can listen as well as you hear, It’s too late (It’s too late), When we die (oh, when we die), To admit we don’t see eye to eye.” 

Now is our time to learn from this poignant lesson and recognize and support our nation’s heroes during their remaining living years despite our other differences. As American voters, we must learn how to support local legislators who look past their party lines and listen to our aging veteran’s needs before it’s too late. 

Ryan Holak, a veteran and a student in Baylor University’s masters in social work program, is a resident of Delran Township in Burlington County.