NJ Veteran Journal
Summer 2004 Edition
 
SAA News

By Charles Rowe, Bureau Chief, State Approving Agency

Recent federal legislation has increased the GI Bill education rates for Chapter 35, Survivors and Dependents effective July 1, 2004. The rates increase as follows: $788 per month, full time attendance; $592, ¾ time attendance; and, $394, ½ time attendance at an approved college, university, or non-college degree school.

The State Approving Agency has recently completed approval of various on the job training programs at PSE&G Nuclear Power Plant in Salem County, N.J. The initial approval consists of four On-the-Job-Training (OJT) programs with an average length of 15 months of training. The SAA will be pursuing other jobs at the plant for approval in a continuing effort to expand apprenticeship and on the job training programs for New Jersey’s veterans and other eligible
persons.

In addition, the SAA has completed an apprenticeship training agreement with the New Jersey State Police. A two-year apprenticeship program was approved and retroactive payment of benefits for eligible persons are being processed. New Jersey state troopers can earn approximately $11,000 in benefits in addition to salary while in the training program.

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VA Insurance Dividends

From the Department of Veterans Affairs

The 1.5 million veterans who are active policyholders of veterans’ life insurance from policies served between 1917 and 1956 will receive more than $517 million in dividends in 2004.

The payments will be sent on the anniversary date of the policy, with the specific dividend amount varying according to age, type of insurance and length of time the policy has been in force. Only those with policies that have been kept in force when premiums were required are eligible for the payout.

Payments are expected to reach $416.8 million for the 1.2 million veterans of World War II with National Service Life Insurance (“V”) policies. The 11,000 veterans with Government Life Insurance (“K”) policies will be paid dividends totaling $1.8 million.

Those nearly 200,000 Korean War Veterans who have maintained the Veterans Special Life Insurance (“RS” and “W”) policies can expect to receive dividends $83.9 million.

And for those veterans from World War II who have the Veterans Reopened Insurance (“J”, “JR” and “JS”) policies, who currently number approximately 53,000, they will share a $14.7 million dividend.

Current active-duty service members and reservists are covered under the Service members’ Group Life Insurance through a private carrier and no dividends are paid on this insurance. Nor are dividends paid on the VA term insurance that covers veterans who were discharged after 1956.

Questions about a policy can be answered by calling the VA Insurance toll-free at 800-669-8477, or send an e-mil to Vainsurance@vba.va.gov or go to the web site at www.insurance.va.gov

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ROK War Service Medal

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) is honoring Korean War veterans or the next of kin of
eligible veterans, by issuing a Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

The United States Air Force has been designated the lead agency to receive and distribute the
medals, which will be provided at no cost.

For information on how to apply for or request the medal can be found by contacting the Air Force Personnel Center, Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (CST) at (866) 229-7074, or the Awards and Decorations Section (210) 565-2432/2520/ 2516, or by writing to HQ AFPC/DPPPRA, 550 C Street West, Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78150-4714. You can also visit their website at: www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/awards/ where you can download the forms necessary to apply for the medal.

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DAR Donates 12K to Veterans Haven

On May 1, the New Jersey State Society of Daughters of the American Revolution presented Veterans Haven with a donation of $12,200.

The donation will assist with the purchase of a new van.

Veterans Haven is a transitional housing program for homeless veterans. Veterans may reside at Veterans Haven for up to two years. During that period, they receive employment assistance and life-skill training. During the past nine years, Veterans Haven has opened its doors to more than 500 veterans.

Table of Contents
Governor’s Letter
Deveraux Appointed
Old Glory Grand Opening
NJ Korean Service Medal
Stand Down 2004
Retirees Get Pay Increase
SAA News
Veterans News You Can Use
Veterans Get Priority Care
Veterans History Project
VSO Listing
General Information

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