TRENTON, NJ – A recent study by Leafwell has ranked New Jersey as the second worst state in the nation for veterans. The findings were based on several key factors, including financial support, housing, employment opportunities, and state spending tailored to the veteran population.
New Jersey scored a mere 1.1 out of 10 in the ranking. It particularly lagged in areas such as disability compensation, the size of the veteran population, and state expenditure on veteran-specific services.
This suggests that there is significant room for the state to enhance its support for veterans. New York was identified as the worst state for veterans, earning a score of just 0.7 out of 10, while Illinois followed close behind New Jersey with a score of 1.4 out of 10.
The study examined data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify states with the highest proportion of veteran workers. Additionally, state expenditure data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was analyzed to gauge which states are most committed to investing in veteran care. The ranking also factored in the availability of nursing homes scaled by population, providing insight into veterans’ access to retirement support.
Adding to the challenges veterans face, medical records have shown that one in three U.S. veterans are diagnosed with a mental health disorder, as reported by the United States Government’s National Library of Medicine. This underscores the importance of states providing comprehensive support and resources to veterans.
While the focus of the study was largely on where states fell short in their support for veterans, it also highlighted areas of improvement and potential remedies for these issues.