I. FOR VETERANS: Pension Benefits
A. What Is VA Pension? A benefit paid to wartime veterans with limited income, and who are permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older.
B. Who Is Eligible? A veteran may be eligible if he or she:
- was discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions, and
- served 90 days or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a "period of war" (see chart below), and
- countable family income is below a yearly limit set by law (see chart below), and
- total assets, excluding the home, are generally less than $80,000, and
- is permanently and totally disabled, or
- is age 65 or older.
C. How Much Does VA Pay? VA pays the difference between the veteran's countable family income and the yearly income limit that describes his or her current situation (see chart below). This difference is generally paid in 12 equal monthly payments rounded down to the nearest dollar. Note: The VA allows deductions from countable family income for certain expenses, including unreimbursed medical expenses paid by the veteran. Examples of common unreimbursed medical expenses include: assisted living facility, skilled nursing homes, home health care providers, medical insurance premiums, pharmacy bills etc.
Pension Benefits
Family Income Limits (2010) |
| If you are a... |
Your income must be less than... |
| Veteran with no dependents |
$11,830 (yearly) $985 (monthly) |
| Veteran w/a spouse or a child |
$15,493 (yearly) $1,291 (monthly) |
Veterans w/additional children: add $2,020
to the limit for EACH child) |
|
| Housebound veteran with no dependents |
$14,457 (yearly) 1,204 (monthly) |
| Housebound veteran with one dependent |
$18,120 (yearly) $1,510 (monthly) |
| Veteran who needs aid and attendance and has no dependents |
$19,736 (yearly) $1,644 (monthly) |
| Veteran who needs aid and attendance and has one dependent |
$23,396 (yearly) $1,949 (monthly) |
II. FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES OF VETERANS: Death Pension Benefits
A. What Is Death Pension? A benefit paid to eligible surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans.
B. Who Is Eligible? A surviving spouse may be eligible if:
- The deceased veteran was discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions, and
- The deceased veteran served 90 days or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a "period of war" (see chart below), and
- countable income is below a yearly income limit set by law (see chart below), and
- total assets, excluding the home, are generally less than $80,000.
C. How Much Does VA Pay? VA pays the difference between the surviving spouse's countable family income and the yearly income limit that describes his or her current situation (see chart below). This difference is generally paid in 12 equal monthly payments rounded down to the nearest dollar. Note: The VA allows deductions from countable family income for certain expenses, including unreimbursed medical expenses paid by the veteran. Examples of common unreimbursed medical expenses include: assisted living facility, skilled nursing homes, home health care providers, medical insurance premiums, pharmacy bills etc.
Death Pension Benefits
Family Income Limits (2010) |
| If you are a... |
Your income must be less than... |
| Surviving spouse w/no dependent children |
$ 7,933 (yearly) $666 (monthly)
|
| Surviving spouse w/one dependent child |
$ 10,385 (yearly) $865 (monthly)
|
| (Add $2,020 to the limit for each additional child) |
|
| Housebound surviving spouse w/no dependents |
$ 9,696 (yearly) $808 (monthly)
|
| Housebound surviving spouse w/one dependent |
$12,144 (yearly) $1,012 (monthly)
|
| Surviving spouse who needs aid and attendance w/no dependents |
$12,681 (yearly) $1,056 (monthly)
|
| Surviving spouse who needs aid and attendance w/one dependent |
$15,128 (yearly) $1,260 (monthly)
|
Periods of War
|
| Mexican Border Period |
- May 9, 1916 through April 5, 1917 for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters.
|
| World War I |
- April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918
- April 6, 1917 - April 1, 1920 for veterans who served in Russia
- World War I service is extended through July 1, 1921 for veterans who had at least 1 day of service between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918.
|
| World War II |
- December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946
- If the veteran was in service on December 31, 1946, continuous service before July 26, 1947 is considered World War II service.
|
| Korean War |
- June 27, 1950 - January 31, 1955.
|
| Vietnam War |
- August 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975
- February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975 for veterans who served in Vietnam before August 5, 1964.
|
| Gulf War |
- August 2, 1990 through such end date as prescribed by Presidential proclamation or concurrent resolution of Congress, neither of which have yet occurred.
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