NJ S1839

Establishes the "New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program" in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide annual payments to surviving family members of Armed Forces or National Guard members who died on active duty.

Gold Star family members include surviving spouses, domestic partners, civil union partners, parents, siblings, children, legal guardians, or custodians (by blood, half blood, or adoption) who are New Jersey residents.

Annual annuity of $600 paid each January 1, with annual adjustments beginning two years after enactment tied to VA compensation increases (between 1% and 4%).

Applicants must submit proof of relationship to the deceased service member, documentation of the service member's death on active duty (such as DD Form 1300), and annual proof of New Jersey residency.

Remarriage does not disqualify eligible recipients; benefits cease upon loss of residency but may be reinstated through a new application if residency resumes.