Veterans Pension

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VETERANS HELP GROUP

Veterans pension program vs. disability compensation payment

Not every veteran qualifies for a pension, and veterans who do qualify for pension benefits may have to choose between their pension and other benefits, such as VA disability benefits. Here’s what you need to know about veterans pensions, who qualifies, how to get benefits, and how other benefits may be affected.

Who Is Entitled to Veterans Pension Benefits?

To be eligible for VA pension benefits, the veteran must have served:

For a veteran who started active duty before September 8, 1980, at least 90 days on active duty with at least one active day during wartime
For a veteran who started on active duty on or after September 8, 1980, at least 24 months or the full term of service commitment with at least one active day during wartime

Officers who started active duty after October 16, 1981, may also be eligible if they did not previously serve at least 24 months on active duty.

What is “Wartime”?

For purposes of a VA pension, “wartime service” means:

May 9, 1916-April 5, 1917, for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters (Mexican Border Period)
April 6, 1917-November 11, 1918 (World War I)
December 7, 1941-December 31, 1946 (World War II)
June 27, 1950-January 31, 1955 (Korean Conflict)
November 1, 1955-May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War, for veterans who served in country)
August 5, 1964-May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War, for veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam)
After August 2, 1990 (Gulf War–end date as yet undetermined)

Other Qualifications for VA Pension Benefits

Simply having served during the right time period isn’t sufficient to qualify a veteran for a VA pension. The veteran must also:

Not have a discharge status of dishonorable, other than honorable, or bad conduct, and
Meet income and net worth qualifications

If a veteran’s discharge status disqualifies them from receiving a VA pension, it may be possible to apply for a discharge upgrade.

In addition, veterans pension benefits only become available when the veteran:

Is at least 65 years old, or
Has a permanent and total disability, or
Is a patient in a nursing home or other long-term care facility due to a disability, or
Is receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

VETERANS PENSION VS. VA DISABILITY

In some cases, a veteran may be qualified for both veterans pension benefits and VA disability benefits. However, the system is set up to prevent double-dipping. If you apply for and are qualified for both types of benefits, the VA will pay you only the higher of the two.

HOW ARE VETERAN PENSION BENEFITS CALCULATED?

Unlike VA disability benefits, veterans pension benefits are impacted by other types of income and assets. When the VA calculates how much a veteran may receive in pension benefits, they start with the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR). In 2024, that’s $16,551 for a veteran with no qualifying dependents. That’s $1,379.25/month.

Then, the VA deducts other types of income you receive, such as income from work and Social Security benefits, from that cap. Your pension benefit is the difference between the cap and the other countable income you receive. So, for example, a veteran with no eligible dependents whose only other income was $1,000/month in Social Security benefits could receive $379.25/month in pension benefits.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS PENSION RECIPIENTS

Some veterans qualify for supplements to their veterans pension benefits. These include Aid and Attendance Benefits and the Housebound Allowance.

AID AND ATTENDANCE BENEFITS

Aid and attendance benefits are available to a veteran who meets any of the following:

The veteran needs help from another person to manage daily activities like bathing, dressing, and feeding themself
The veteran is bedridden or confined to bed for most of the day due to a medical condition
The veteran is a resident of a nursing home because of disability-related loss of mental or physical abilities
The veteran’s eyesight is limited to no more than 5/200 vision in both eyes with glasses or other corrective lenses OR has concentric contraction of the field of vision to 5% or less
Aid and attendance benefits can significantly increase the MAPR. For example, for a veteran with no qualifying dependents, Aid and Attendance increases the MAPR from $16,551/year to $27,609/year. That means the same veteran above who received $1,000 in Social Security benefits could get $1,300.75/month in pension with Aid and Attendance.
HOUSEHOLD ALLOWANCE
The Housebound Allowance is another type of supplement that a veteran may receive if they spend nearly all of their time at home due to a permanent disability. The Housebound Allowance also raises the MAPR but by a smaller amount. In 2024, the MAPR for a veteran with no dependents who qualify for the Housebound Allowance is $20,226/year.
IS VA DISABILITY OR VETERANS PENSION BETTER?
If you’re potentially qualified for both benefits, it’s important to understand the benefits available to you under each program. There are many variables, including other income you receive and the source of that income, the extent of your service-connected disability and the disability rating assigned or likely to be assigned, whether assets might disqualify you from pension benefits, and more.
An experienced VA disability benefits advocate can help you navigate the process and identify the best benefits for you. To learn more, call Veterans Help Group today at 855-855-8992 or contact us here.