Non-Service Connected Pension
The VA Veterans Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit for low-income veterans with no compensable service-connected injuries or disabilities who served at least one day during a war period, with an other than dishonorable discharge.
To qualify, a Veteran must be 65 years old or older - or under 65 years old and a patient in a nursing facility or be receiving Social Security disability payments. The amount payable depends upon the type and income the Veteran and family members receive from other sources, modified by the Veteran’s medical expenses. Veterans who are more seriously disabled may qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits, which are paid in addition to the basic pension rates.
The VA sets pension payment amounts on the difference between a survivor’s countable income and the Maximum Annual Pension Rate set by Congress.
Aid and Attendance or Housebound Benefits
If you need another person to help you perform daily activities like bathing, eating, and dressing or spend a large portion of your time in bed because of an injury or illness, or you are in a nursing home, you may be eligible for a VA Aid and Attendance allowance.
If you spend most of your time in your home because of a permanent disability, you may be eligible for Housebound benefits.
One may only have one of the two allowances.
For more information about VA Pension rates and how the VA calculates eligibility, visit the VA Pension site
here.
VA Survivors’ Pension (Non-Service-Connected Benefit)
Survivors’ Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit for low-income, unmarried surviving spouses and/or children of a deceased Veteran with wartime service. Children must be less than 18 years of age, or less than 23 years of age if they are attending a VA-approved school, or permanently incapable of self-support due to a disability incurred before reaching 18 years old.
The VA sets pension payment amounts on the difference between a survivor’s countable income and the Maximum Annual Pension Rate set by Congress.
For assistance claiming a VA Pension, contact a department Veteran Service Officer.