N.J. Stat. tit. 38, ch. 18

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 38:18-1 Soldier, time of emergency defined

38:18-1. As used in this chapter the word "soldier" means and includes any officer, soldier, sailor, marine, airman, nurse or any other person, male or female, regularly enlisted or inducted, who was or shall have been a part of the military or naval forces of the United States, and who took part in any war in which the United States was engaged, or who took part or shall have taken part in the present wars with the governments of Japan, Germany and Italy, or any of them, including any member of the American Merchant Marine who is declared by the United States Department of Defense to be eligible for federal veterans' benefits, or who served or shall have served in the active military or naval service of the United States in time of emergency as herein defined, and who was a resident of this State at the time he was or shall be commissioned, enlisted, inducted, appointed or mustered into the military or naval service of the United States, and who has been or shall have been given an honorable or ordinary discharge or release therefrom, and continues to be a resident of this State. As used herein the term "in time of emergency" shall mean and include any time after June 23, 1950, and on or prior to January 31, 1955. Amended 1945,c.106,s.1; 1946,c.85,s.1; 1951,c.17; 1991,c.389,s.13.

N.J. Stat. § 38:18-2 Compensation to blind veterans, spouses

38:18-2. A soldier, who has sustained a total loss of sight as a result of his service during any of the wars mentioned in R.S.38:18-1, shall be paid for the term of his life, and upon his death his surviving spouse shall be paid, provided that the soldier or surviving spouse shall continue as a resident of this State, the sum of $1,800 annually, in monthly payments. Such payments shall be due and payable from the date of discharge or release of the soldier if application therefor shall be made within one year from the date of such discharge or release. If the application shall be made one year from the date of discharge or release of the soldier such payments shall be due and payable from the date of such application. Accrued payments to the date of certification shall be paid in one lump sum. Amended by L. 1945, c. 106, p. 454, s. 2; L. 1946, c. 85, p. 294, s. 2; L. 1971, c. 329, s. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1971; L. 1985, c. 116, s. 1, eff. April 9, 1985; amended 2022, c.105, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 38:18-3 Proof of service and disability; certification by adjutant general; payment.

38:18-3. Evidence of the service and disability mentioned in R.S.38:18-1 shall be furnished to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which shall examine the same and upon being satisfied that the service was performed and the soldier has been rendered totally blind as a result thereof, shall so certify to the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting who shall, upon receipt thereof, draw a warrant on the State Treasurer in favor of the applicant in a bulk sum for any accrued payments and in the sum of $1,800 annually, which the State Treasurer shall pay out of the money appropriated therefor by the Legislature. Amended by L.1945, c. 106, p. 455, s. 3, L.1946, c. 85, p. 295, s. 3; L.1971, c. 329, s. 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1971; amended 2022, c.105, s.2; 2025, c.139, s.88.

N.J. Stat. § 38:18-4 Nonresidents

Any soldier or surviving spouse receiving compensation pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 38:18-1 et seq. and who is required to, and who does, move without the State for reasons of health or employment shall notwithstanding such nonresidence be entitled to continue to receive such compensation. In the event such soldier or surviving spouse becomes entitled to compensation from the state to which he moves pursuant to an act of such state substantially similar to this act and the act to which this act is a supplement, such compensation shall immediately cease, unless such soldier or surviving spouse shall elect to receive such compensation to the exclusion of the compensation of the state to which he moves. L. 1956, c. 166, p. 659, s. 1, eff. Dec. 3, 1956. Amended by L. 1985, c. 116, s. 2, eff. April 9, 1985.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026