This is a benefit that provides financial support to wartime veterans who have limited income.  Income may include: social security, salary, other pensions, interest, and dividends. 

The veteran must also be under a total asset amount of $155,356

For Veterans Under the Age of 65 

Must be deemed permanently and totally disabled by the VA.  This means:

• Suffering from any disability which is sufficient to render it impossible for the average person to follow a substantially gainful occupation but only if it is reasonably certain the disability will continue throughout the veteran’s life.
• Is a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability.
• Is disabled as determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for the purpose of benefits administered by the SSA.  In other words, if the SSA deems you disabled, the VA automatically will.

For Veterans 65 and Older 

These veterans do not have to be deemed permanently and totally disabled.  They just to have a countable household income below the yearly limit set by law.  The 90 days of active duty with at least 1 day being during time of war still applies.

This is a benefit that provides financial support to surviving spouses of wartime veterans who have limited income.  Income may include: social security, salary, other pensions, interest, and dividends. 

The surviving spouse must also be under a total asset amount of $155,356

 The VA may pay out a higher amount of pension benefit if the veteran or surviving spouse is deemed permanently housebound. This means that they are substantially confined to their house or immediate premises due to disability(ies) which will remain throughout their lives.

Eligibility:

• Veteran/Surviving Spouse must be in need of assistance with ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living) as outlined on VA Form 21-2680

• Other forms may be necessary

• Must be incurring the cost of the assistance (CNA, Nursing, etc.)

• Income and Assets under $155,356 (Combined if married)

• For surviving spouse, must not be remarried 

 The VA will pay an even higher amount of pension benefit if the veteran or surviving spouse requires constant aid and attendance of another person. This means that they are in need of Assisted Living or a Nursing Facility.

Eligibility:

• Veteran/Surviving Spouse must be in need of assistance with ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living) as outlined on VA Form 21-2680

• Other forms may be necessary

• Must be incurring the cost of the assistance (Assisted Living/Nursing Facility)

• Income and Assets under $155,356 (Combined if married)

• For surviving spouse, must not be remarried