Veterans Corner: Monmouth County explains veteran benefits, walk‑in service in Freehold

In the Veterans Corner segment, Monmouth County Commissioner and veterans‑services liaison Sue Kiley interviewed Bill Gardell, a veteran services officer with the county division, about services available to veterans and their families.

Gardell said the county’s veteran service officers help veterans navigate the federal VA system, prepare documentation and apply for benefits such as service‑connected compensation and the wartime pension. He explained that different benefits have distinct eligibility criteria: "someone may be eligible for compensation based on an injury, but they're not eligible based on the pension benefit because they didn't serve during a period of war," Gardell said. He also noted state and local programs that can affect veterans, including property‑tax deferment in New Jersey for veterans who are "100% permanently and totally disabled," and survivor benefits for spouses.

Gardell described local service access: he said the county office is located in the Human Services Building in Freehold "right next to social services" at 3000 Kozlowski Road, that appointments are not required for in‑person help, and provided a contact phone number: (732) 683‑8675. He also referenced VA clinic locations in Tinton Falls and (transcript: "Bridal").

The segment provided practical contact information and explained application assistance; it did not record legislative or budget actions.