VA Pension for Veterans

Pension is a benefit paid to wartime Veterans who have limited or no income, and who are age 65 or older, or, under 65, and are permanently and totally disabled, or, a patient in a nursing home, or, are receiving Social Security disability payments. Veterans who are more seriously disabled may qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. These are benefits that are paid in addition to the basic pension rate.

Criteria

There are a number of criteria that may affect your eligibility to pension benefits. If you are unsure if you meet all criteria, we encourage you to contact our office to discuss your unique situation that may qualify you for a non-service connected pension, particularly if you are low income with little or no assets (excluding the home you live in). If you do not initially qualify, you may reapply if you have un-reimbursed medical expenses during the twelve month period after VA receives your claim that brings your income for VA purposes below the maximum annual pension rate, or, the amount of income you receive changes.

Un-reimbursed medical expenses are expenses you have paid for medical services or products for which you will not be reimbursed by Medicare or private medical insurance. Remember, qualifying criteria include the following:

• The time period in which you were on active duty
• Your age
• Your household assets
• Your household income
• Your household medical expenses
• Your level of disability

This is not a benefit that every veteran qualifies for.

Nursing Home or Assisted Living Residents

Important: wartime veterans who are patients in a Nursing Home or live in an Assisted Living Facility may find they are qualified for some type of VA Non-Service Connected Pension.

Wartime Veteran Meaning

Wartime veteran does not mean that you served overseas or in the area of combat, only that you served during the period of time established by the VA as qualifying time.