Veterans, the brave individuals who’ve selflessly served our country, rightfully deserve benefits to ensure their well-being in retirement. One of the most essential benefits they should be acquainted with is the veteran pension program. However, like many governmental programs, navigating the nuances of veteran pensions can be a tad overwhelming. Worry not! This guide will help you understand the basics and the finer details.
Understanding the Basics
At its core, a veteran pension is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to low-income wartime veterans. It’s designed not as a reward, but as a safety net for those veterans who have limited or no income and are aged 65 or older. For younger veterans, they must be permanently and totally disabled due to reasons unrelated to their service.
Eligibility Criteria
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has set specific criteria for veterans to be eligible for this pension:
- Service Requirements: The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active military service, with at least one day during a wartime period. The discharge should be any type other than dishonorable.
- Age and Disability: Veterans aged 65 or older qualify. Those below this age need to be permanently disabled for reasons not due to their military service.
- Income Limits: There’s a set income limit, which is published annually by the VA. If the veteran’s income surpasses this limit, they won’t be eligible.
Different Types of Pensions
While the term “Veterans Pension” seems singular, there are variations based on individual needs:
- Veterans Pension (Basic Improved Pension): This pension is for veterans who are aged 65 or older, with no disability.
- Pension with Housebound Benefit: For veterans who spend a majority of their time at home due to a permanent disability. Learn more at VA.gov.
- Pension with Aid and Attendance: This is for veterans who require another person’s help to perform daily tasks, are bedridden, or have specific disabilities.
Claiming the Pension
Veterans or their families can apply for pensions by:
- Filling out VA Form 21P-527EZ, “Application for Pension.”
- Gathering the required documentation like discharge papers, medical evidence, etc.
- Submitting the application and documents to the Pension Management Center (PMC) that serves their state.
Countable Income and Deductions
To determine eligibility, the VA will calculate the ‘countable’ income of the veteran. This includes earnings, disability, retirement payments, and income from relatives. However, certain expenses, like medical expenses, can be deducted from the ‘countable’ income, which might increase the pension amount or help meet the eligibility criteria.
Staying Updated
Veteran pensions undergo regular updates, whether it’s the income limit or other qualifying criteria. It’s essential to keep abreast of these changes by regularly checking the VA’s official website or being in touch with a VA office.
Conclusion
The road to understanding and availing veteran pensions can seem winding and confusing. However, equipped with the right information, it becomes a lot more navigable. Remember, as a veteran, you’ve earned these benefits through your service. Ensure you and your loved ones are adequately informed to make the most of them.
For personalized guidance or more in-depth information, consider reaching out to a Veterans Service Officer or visiting a VA office nearby.
I Want To Purache A Home with
You can receive SS and VA pension, they are separate from each other. Any question talk to your VSO.
A veteran service officer (vso) can help you out concerning VA pension. He can also tell you who to talk to concerning your ss
At 90 percent for several years actually at 99 percent can’t get any help am on a walker wife in a rest home which needs support from me as much as possible can barely move around, was airborne
I get a portion of my husband’s SBP, Widow’s DiC and widow SS, and am drowning, it all ads up to less than half of what we had when he was alive. as he was 100% Service Connected, as was his death. I am also a Veteran.. At first my income was such that I didn’t have to pay a co pay for my VA medical the first 2 years after he died, then at the beginning of 2023 with the COLA increases, it put my income to where I now have to pay a co pay and don’t have the funds to do it so am not refilling my needed medications, I am 1 house payment behind and just got notice that with the increase in property taxes and house insurance for next year, my mortgage payment is going up and will wipe out any COLA increases for 2024 in all of my income.. I will also have to file income tax for SS and the SBP I receive as both are taxable income. At the moment I can not pay my electric, water, sewage or garbage, can not fill the propane tank to provide heat in my house so till the electric gets shut off for non payment I have 1 small electric heater that I only turn on after 10 pm and turn off when I wake up in the morning. I am 77 years old, eat once a day as that is all I can afford to do. Am I qualified for a VA pension or not because of what I receive from my dead husband?
I read your comment and I am very sorry for what you are going thru. My husband was Vet 100% service connected and his passing was from one of his disability. I do not pay co pays the DIC is not much all Veterans Affairs told me the amount we get is sat by Congress. Not sure where you lived but you may not have to pay your property taxes check with Veterans Affairs or your Property Tax iffice. Also you can contact your light and gas company for help. You should also contact Veterans Affairs because you can’t pay your house payment there is help because it happened to me. Please follow thru. Good Luck and God Bless.
I was married to my husband for 43 years. He passed away in 2016 of lung cancer. I filed a mesothelioma claim and received a settlement fir which I was grateful. However, he overlooked making me the beneficiary of his retirement and now I have to live in government housing and have no car. I have to depend on others to get to church, doctor appointments and grocery store..it was an oversight and now I receive only social security. I really don’t think this is exactly fair to the surviving spouse. As we support our husbands we serve right along with them. This should be considered.
I initially applied for disability in 1987. I kept waiting and waiting to hear from the VA. Finally in August 2022, I decided to visit my local VAMC and was told to MY FACE that “somehow we allowed your claim to FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS’!! I’ve been waiting AGAIN since that time for my approval that I’d received in 1987 to be honored. I am YET to receive my approval!! Is there ANY ORGANIZATION THAT CAN HELP ME??
Get in touch with your Veterans Service Officer (VSO) either at the County Court House, Your local State Representative, American Legion or any VFW and they will be more than willing to help you out for free.
Contact a good vso in your area. They can help you or point you in the right direction .
I was active duty for 21 years and I started receiving my retirement pay about 2 months after my retirement date, was I not eligible to be receiving my pension?
My mom is the surviving spouse of a Korean veteran Vet
My mom qualified for both Medicaid 24/7 care in her condo
My mom also qualified for VA aid and attendance
Can she qualify and get both services simultaneously
Thank you for your response
Therese Macleod
[email protected]
I am 100 percent VA and draw SSI. I am wondering if I qualify for a pension also . I don’t make enough to cover my monthly expenses! Please advise and help!
I am in same boat and would like to know
You both get 100% VA pay plus social Security and you can’t cover your bills? Well I only get VA and I cover all my bills and raise my 4 kids, but I don’t drink or smoke or go out to bars or restaurants all the time. So maybe you should be looking into how you are spending your money and see where you can cut your expenses and put your credit card in a lock box and pay them off. You’re getting at least $4,500 a month or more so you should be able to live on a thousand dollars a month. Do better.
Need home buying certificate.
Home buying certificate
Travis Cherry [email protected]