December 8, 2025
Welcome and thank you for visiting my page to stay informed on important veteran services and programs available to you through the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs and the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services.
As your state Representative, I’m here to help ensure you can get the right guidance, answer your questions or assistance. Whether it is renewing federal or state benefits or applying for new or additional services, please feel free to reach out to one of my offices if you have any questions or would like more information.
PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS
State of New York Homes for Veterans Program: Offers veterans access to low-mortgage and down payment assistance to help them achieve homeownership.
-
Must have served in the active military and been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
-
Active-duty service members and honorably discharged veterans can apply, even if they are not first-time homebuyers
To learn more, visit: https://hcr.ny.gov/homes-veterans-program
Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Veterans Support Program: Operated through BRIDGES and supported by the Rockland County Department of Mental Health and Rockland County Veteran Service Agency. Assemblyman Aron Wieder fought for a New York State budget that fully funds this essential support program.
-
Provides Vet-to-Vet support by those trained in military behavioral health, who understand the effects of PTSD and TBI
-
Available to all Veterans, members of the Armed Forces, Guard, Reserves and their families regardless of service dates, discharge status or dependency status
-
BRIDGES offers Veterans with disabilities free door-to-door transportation to and from the Veteran Health Centers in Montrose, NY and Castle Point, NY
To learn more, visit their Web site.
Department of Defense Military Child Care support: Provides high quality, affordable childcare options to military-connected families, with offerings designed to meet their unique needs.
-
Programs that participate in the military childcare system use the Department of Defense’s sliding fee guidelines to determine fees for eligible families, so a family’s share of the childcare cost is based on their total family income.
To apply: https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/ about#introduction-91
Lifetime Liberty Pass: Allows eligible New York State Veterans or Gold Star Parents, Spouses and Children discounted use of New York state parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities operated by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
-
Once issued, the pass will never expire
-
Lifetime Liberty Pass benefits include free vehicle entry to most state-operated parks and DEC-operated day-use areas such as state-operated boat launch sites, historic sites, arboretums, and park preserves; free greens fees at state-operated golf courses; free swimming pool entrance at State Park pools
-
Pass includes discounted camping and cabin rentals at most State Park and DEC campgrounds
-
The passholder must be present when utilizing the pass for its intended benefits
-
Eligible residents must be veterans or Gold Star Parents, Spouses, Siblings or Children
To apply: https://parks.ny.gov/visit/passes/lifetime-liberty-pass
Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan Guaranty: The benefit helps Veterans, Servicemembers, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners by providing a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy.
-
VA Home Loans are provided by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies
-
VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms
To learn more, visit: benefits.va.gov/homeloans
NYS Mortgage Agency (SONYMA): The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) offers low-interest mortgage loans available to qualified first-time homebuyers.
-
You must be either a U.S. military veteran or active duty serviceperson and be able to provide documentation with your application
To learn more, visit: hcr.ny.gov/sonyma
Gold Star Families Annuity Program Benefit
New York state’s Gold Star Family Annuity: The benefit authorizes an annuity payment to each Gold Star parent, spouse or sibling of a loved one who served. Assemblyman Aron Wieder fought to expand eligibility for the Gold Star Annuity Benefit Program to include parents, spouses and minor children of service members who perished on active duty.
-
Eligible applicants residing in NYS and approved must reapply on a yearly basis
-
Applications can be submitted anytime of the year
To apply: https://veterans.ny.gov/gold-star-families-annuity-program
Blind Annuity Program: The benefit is for legally blind wartime veterans or surviving un-remarried spouses of legally blind wartime veterans, who live and are domiciled in New York State. Blindness need not be a service-connected disability.
-
The Annuity rate is paid out on monthly increments