n Veterans Day, Booker Releases Comprehensive Veterans Handbook

2020 resource guide includes new resources for Blue Water veterans and expanded benefits for caregivers

NEWARK, NJ – As the nation observes Veterans Day and honors those who have courageously served our country, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today released a comprehensive resource guide designed to help New Jersey veterans with the transition from military to civilian life. The 2020 handbook, which is available online here, has been redesigned and contains new disability benefits information for Blue Water Navy Veterans that served during the Vietnam War and were exposed to the toxic herbicide Agent Orange. The handbook also includes information on the VA MISSION Act, which took effect in June of 2019, and governs how veterans and their dependents receive healthcare benefits.

“Veterans Day is a time for our nation to recognize the millions of heroic Americans who chose patriotism above all else. Our veterans show us the true meaning of love of country and the freedoms we enjoy every day are made possible by their selflessness and sacrifice,” Senator Booker said. “We owe our veterans and their families a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid, which is why it’s important that we do everything we can to provide high quality resources and services to those who served. This handbook will help connect the over 400,000 New Jersey veterans to health care, housing, employment, and educational resources that will guide them as they transition to civilian life.

Background on Booker’s work in the Senate to support service members and veterans:

Booker has been steadfast in his commitment to supporting New Jersey’s service-members, veterans, and their families. When he was first elected to the U.S. Senate, his very first meeting was with New Jersey veterans. Just last week, he led members of New Jersey’s delegation in urging the Air Force to approve the construction of an overpass over County Road 539, which splits Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) and puts at risk the safety and welfare of military personnel in New Jersey. And earlier this summer, he authored a bipartisan bill to expand eligibility for all military spouses in a workforce development program and a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to recognize the unique achievements and contributions of female veterans by designating a Women Veterans Appreciation Day. He also is the author of legislation to close critical gaps in VA education benefits by expanding coverage for remedial courses and allowing veterans to transfer benefits to future dependents, which was informed by conversations he had with student veterans at Rutgers University.

Booker has also been an outspoken advocate for legislation to extend coverage to 200,000 previously uncovered Vietnam Navy Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange. A bill he cosponsored to extend this coverage was signed into law earlier this year.

He was also instrumental, along with other members of the New Jersey delegation, in helping bring a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) to Sussex County in 2017, after hearing from veterans living in Sussex, Warren, and Western Morriscounties who had to travel to out-of-state VA facilities to get quality care.

In 2014, Booker’s bipartisan bill to guarantee continued rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain injuries was signed into law as part of a comprehensive VA accountability bill, the Veterans Choice Act.

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