RELEASE: Gottheimer Meets with Fifth District Military Family He Helped Access VA Benefits

Above: Gottheimer speaks with Fifth District resident Adrienne Betar. 

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ — Today, November 29, 2021, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined Adrienne Betar, a Fifth District constituent from Upper Saddle River, to discuss how he helped her family receive much needed Veterans Affairs benefits that her mother was owed from her father’s service during World War II. George Betar, Petty Officer Second Class, was seriously injured while in the Navy defending our country in the South Pacific, and, when he passed, his service connected disability benefits were cut off and there was a delay in the wife receiving the survivor benefits — because of this, she almost lost her home.

“I’m committed to always getting the backs of those who’ve bravely had ours, especially our veterans and their families,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’m glad that our team and I were able to help the Betar family get the support they deserved and were owed from the brave service of their father and husband, Navy Petty Officer Second Class George Betar, protecting our country during World War II. I want to make it very clear, to our veterans, our military families, and to all of my constituents, I am always here to help. I especially want to thank George’s daughter for all she has done to advocate and care for her parents.  It is my duty and privilege to serve the people I represent.” 

When Adrienne was having trouble getting help from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, she reached out to Gottheimer’s office, who helped get the case resolved quickly. The VA told Adrienne it might take six months to receive the benefits, but Gottheimer helped get their family what they needed in less than two months. These benefits helped their family keep their house and pay their bills – making a huge difference in their lives.

“This assistance from the Veterans Affairs Department was badly needed by my mother — to stay in her home of fifty years in Upper Saddle River,” said Adrienne Betar, a Fifth District resident from Upper Saddle River. “Congressman Gottheimer’s office was amazing in both response time and follow-up to help my family get the assistance we were owed.”

Gottheimer recently helped pass multiple bills in the House to help veterans and military families. These bills will help ensure our brave veterans and their families have access to mental health and maternal health resources, can afford educational opportunities for their families and can survive and thrive here in the country they risked their lives to protect. 

Additionally, since he took office, Gottheimer has been fighting for expanded access to services for local veterans and to protect them during this pandemic. He helped lead bipartisan legislation to address the staff vacancy crisis, especially for post 9-11 veterans, at the Department of Veterans Affairs — especially in veterans’ mental health care.  He recently helped pass the bipartisan PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, which the President signed into law to help connect veterans with service dogs in their communities. 

Watch Gottheimer’s conversation here.

Below: Family photographs of US Navy Petty Officer Second Class George Betar