Non-Service Connected Disability Pension

Veterans Pension

If you are a Veteran whose disabilities prevent employment or are overwhelmed with the high cost of medical care, such as paying for assisted living facilities, home care aides, adult day care, or skilled nursing, the VA Pension benefit could be the solution to help pay for this care. A Wartime Veteran with limited income and net worth may be eligible to receive this benefit.

You may be eligible if:

• You were discharged from military service under other than dishonorable conditions; AND
• You served 90 days of active duty or more with at least 1 day during a war time period*; AND
• Your annual household income and net worth** meet certain limits set by law; AND
• You are permanently and totally disabled, OR age 65 or older.

Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, generally must have served at least 24 months of active duty OR the full period for which called or ordered to active duty.

• Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917, for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters)
• World War I (April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918)
• World War II (December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946)
• Korean conflict (June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955)
• Vietnam War era (February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam.)
• Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)

Survivors Pension

If you are the surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran with low income or overwhelmed with the high cost of medical care, such as paying for assisted living facilities, home care aids, adult daycare, or skilled nursing, the VA Survivors benefit could be the solution to help pay for this care or other needs.

You may be eligible if:

• The deceased Veteran was discharged from military service under other than dishonorable conditions; AND
• The Veteran served 90 days of active duty or more with at least 1 day during a war time period*; AND
• Your annual household income and net worth** meet certain limits set by law.

While an un-remarried spouse is eligible at any age, a child of a deceased Wartime Veteran must be: under 18, OR under age 23 if attending a VA-approved school, OR permanently incapable of self-support due to a disability before age 18.

Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, generally must have served at least 24 months of active duty OR the full period for which called or ordered to active duty.

• Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917, for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters)
• World War I (April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918)
• World War II (December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946)
• Korean conflict (June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955)
• Vietnam War era (February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam.)
• Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)

There are three levels of VA Pensions:

• Basic Pension—for Veterans who are disabled OR age 65 or older with low income
• Housebound – for Veterans with a permanent disability that prevents them from leaving their home*
• Aid & Attendance (A&A) – for Veterans that require assistance with their activities of daily living*

*Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound benefits are monetary benefits paid in addition to disability pension.  These benefits may not be paid without eligibility to pension.