Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors
Chapter 3 VA Pensions
Eligibility for Veterans Pension
Veterans with low incomes who are either permanently and totally disabled, or age 65 and older, may be eligible for monetary support if they have 90 days or more of active military service; with at least one day during a period of war. The 90-day active service requirement does not apply to Veterans with a service-connected disability justifying discharge from the military. (Veterans who entered active duty on or after Sept. 8, 1980, or officers who entered active duty on or after Oct. 16, 1981, may have to meet a longer minimum period of active duty). The Veteran's discharge must have been under conditions other than dishonorable and the disability must be for reasons other than the Veteran's own willful misconduct.
Payments are made to bring the Veteran's total income, including other retirement or Social Security income, to a level set by Congress. Unreimbursed medical expenses may reduce countable income for VA purposes.
Protected Pension
Pension beneficiaries, who were receiving a VA pension on Dec. 31, 1978, and do not wish to elect the Improved Pension, will continue to receive the pension rate received on that date. This rate generally continues as long as the beneficiary's income remains within established limits, or net worth does not bar payment, and the beneficiary does not lose any dependents.
Beneficiaries must continue to meet basic eligibility factors, such as permanent and total disability for Veterans. VA must adjust rates for other reasons, such as a Veteran's hospitalization in a VA facility.
Medal of Honor Pension
VA administers pensions to recipients of the Medal of Honor. Congress set the monthly pension at $1,237.
Improved Veterans Pension
Congress establishes the maximum annual Improved Veterans Pension rates. Payments are reduced by the amount of countable income of the Veteran, spouse and dependent children. When a Veteran without a spouse or a child is furnished nursing home or domiciliary care by VA, the pension is reduced to an amount not to exceed $90 per month after three calendar months of care. The reduction may be delayed if nursing-home care is being continued to provide the Veteran with rehabilitation services.
Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits
(Special Monthly Pension)
Veterans and surviving spouses who are eligible for VA pensions may also be eligible for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits, which increase the maximum annual pension rate. An eligible individual may qualify if he or she requires the regular aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, or is bedridden, a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, blind, or permanently and substantially confined to his/her immediate premises because of a disability.
Veterans and surviving spouses who are ineligible for basic pension based on annual income may still be eligible for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits because a higher income limit applies. In addition, unreimbursed medical expenses for nursing home or home-health care may be used to reduce countable annual income, which may result in a higher pension benefit.
Apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by writing to the nearest VA regional office. Include copies of any evidence, preferably a report from an attending physician or a nursing home, validating the need for Aid and Attendance or Housebound type care. The report should be in sufficient detail to determine whether there is disease or injury producing physical or mental impairment, loss of coordination, or conditions affecting the ability to dress and undress, to feed oneself, to attend to sanitary needs, and to keep oneself ordinarily clean and presentable. In addition, it is necessary to determine whether the claimant is confined to the home or immediate premises.
VA also pays a special $90 monthly rate to pension-eligible Veterans or surviving spouses with no dependents who receive Medicaid-covered nursing home care. These funds are available for the beneficiary's personal use and may not be used to offset the cost of his or her care.
2012 VA Improved Pension - Veterans Rates |
|
|---|---|
Status of Veteran's Family Situation |
Maximum Annual Rate |
Veteran without dependents |
$12,256 |
Veteran with one dependent |
$16,051 |
Veteran permanently housebound, no dependents |
$14,978 |
Veteran permanently housebound, one dependent |
$18,773 |
Veteran needing regular aid and attendance, no dependents |
$20,447 |
Veteran needing regular aid and attendance, one dependent |
$24,239 |
Two veterans married to one another |
$16,051 |
Increase for each additional dependent child |
$2,093 |
Additional information can be found in the Compensation and Pension Benefits section at www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/index.htm.
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