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> VA Pension

VA Pension

A monthly monetary benefit for eligible Veterans.

Eligibility

Must meet ALL of the following requirements:

  • Character of Service:

  • Income and Net worth:

    • Your household income and net worth are below Set limits.

  • Period of service (must meet at least one):

    • Started on active duty before September 8, 1980, and you served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime;

    • Started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during wartime; or

    • Were an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and you hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months.

  • Age/Disability (must meet at least one):

    • Are at least 65 years old;

    • Have a permanent and total disability (not from service-connected disabilities);

    • Are a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability; or

    • Are getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Periods of wartime:

  • World War II (December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946)

  • Korean conflict (June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955)

  • Vietnam War era (February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period.

  • August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam.)

  • Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)

Applying for VA Pension

You can apply for VA pension Online.

Amount of Monthly Payment

To find out the current Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) amount click HERE.

Factors that affect your monthly payment

Increase your benefit:

NOTE:

  • If the Veteran qualifies for both housebound and A&A. They will be paid the higher benefit rate which is A&A.

Decrease your benefit:

  • Amount of yearly income.

Survivors Pension

Dependents of Veterans who qualified for VA Pension may be eligible for Survivors pension upon the death of the Veteran.

Incarcerated Beneficiaries and Fugitive Felons

Beneficiaries imprisoned in a Federal, State or local penal institution as the result of conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, will have their ENTIRE pension payment discontinued effective on the 61st day of imprisonment following conviction.

Those who flee will have their pension benefit suspended upon the court notifying the VA.

Apportionment

If the beneficiary has dependents they may be able to take over the pension payments. So long as they themselves are not incarcerated or fugitive felons.

Frequently Asked Questions

    • Depends; VA disability compensation is counted as income for the purposes of VA pension. As such, if the Veteran has a higher rating, they may become ineligible for VA Pension.

References