The VA pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans who have limited or no income and who are either (1) age 65 or older; or (2) who are under age 65 but permanently and totally disabled (not due to the veteran’s own willful misconduct). Veterans who qualify for the VA Pension may also receive additional Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits if they are more seriously disabled. There are a number of factors that determine a veteran’s eligibility, however, a veteran generally is eligible if:
- The veteran served at least 90 days of active military service, 1 day of which was during a war time period; and
- The veteran was discharged from service under conditions other than dishonorable; and
- The veteran’s countable family income is below a yearly limit set by Congress; and
- The veteran’s “net worth” (the net value of all of the assets of the veteran and his or her dependents) is not excessive.
Allison DePaola is a Veteran’s Benefits Planning Accredited Attorney, #20213.
Please contact our office if you need help with veteran’s benefit issues, including the Pension, Aid and Attendance, or Homebound benefit. We stay abreast of changes in the law, and have experience advising clients in preparing and filing VA benefits applications. We are prepared to counsel you to determine if you or a family member are eligible to receive such benefits.