Disability Pension Benefit

The VA pays a pension to disabled veterans who are over the age of 65 or are no longer able to work. The disability pension benefit is also available for surviving spouses and children but is called the improved death pension.

These pensions are available whether or not the war-time veteran's disability is service-connected, but to be eligible the following requirements must be met:

• The veteran must not have been discharged under dishonorable conditions.



• The veteran must have served ninety (90) days or more of active duty with at least one day during a period of war.



• NOTE: Anyone who enlisted after September 7, 1980, however, must serve at least 24 months or the full period for which that person was called to serve.



• The claimant (You) must be permanently and totally disabled, or age 65 or older. You will need your doctor to provide an evaluation statement to prove that you are disabled and housebound.

In addition, your income must be below the yearly limit set by law; called the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR). The MAPR for individuals who 2009 are below:

Veteran with no dependents $14,457
Veterans with a spouse or a child $18,120
Un-remarried widowed surviving spouse $12,681

Your pension depends on your income. The VA pays the difference between your income and the MAPR. The pension is usually paid in 12 equal payments.

Example: John is a single veteran and has a yearly income of $12,500. His pension benefit would be $1,957 ($14,457 - $12,500). Therefore, he would get $163 a month.

Allowed Adjustments to Your Income - Adjusted Countable Income

Your income does not include welfare benefits or Supplemental Security Income. It also does not include un-reimbursed medical expenses actually paid by the veteran or a member of his or her family.

This can include Medicare, Medigap, and long-term care insurance premiums; over-the-counter medications taken at a doctors recommendation; long-term care costs, such as nursing home fees; the cost of an in-home attendant that provides some medical or nursing services; and the cost of an assisted living facility.

These expenses must be un-reimbursed. This means that insurance must not pay the expenses.

The expenses should also be recurring - this means they should recur every month.

Aid and attendance - The VA's Best Kept Secret

A claimant (veteran or the un-remarried widowed spouse of a war-time veteran) who needs the help of another individual for their primary activities of daily living may qualify for additional money on top of the disability pension benefit.

The claimant needs to show that he or she needs the help of another individual on a regular basis. Note: A claimant who lives in an assisted living facility is presumed to need aid and attendance (Most people call it assistance - attendance is the VA official lingo).

WHAT in the heck are Activities of Daily Living?

They are activities such as bathing, grooming, dressing, eating, toileting, transfer to and from chairs and bed, etc.
A Claimant who meets these requirements will get the difference between his or her income and the MAPR below (2009 figures):

Veteran with no dependents $19,736 (who needs aid and attendance)
Veterans with a spouse or a child $ 23,396 (where the veteran must need aid & attendance)
Un-remarried widowed surviving spouse $15,128 (who needs aid and attendance)

Example: John is a married veteran and has a combined household yearly income of $29,500.
John has a medical evaluation to support his aid and attendance claim.
John and his wife pay insurance premiums, medical co-payments and care costs totally $23,200 yearly.

His pension benefit would be $17,096. Therefore, he would get $1,424 a month.

How did we get that benefit amount?

1. Calculate the Adjusted Countable Income: $29,500 - $23,200 = $6,300
2. Calculate the Remaining Countable Income: $23,396 - $6,300 = $17,096

How To Apply

Before you apply for either disability pension benefit it is helpful to get helpful tips and examples of what exactly you need to do. Filling out the VA Form 21-526, Veteran's Application for Compensation Or Pension and/or the VA Form 21-534, Application and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse is a daunting and overwhelming task for most individuals.

We recommend you seek experienced sources to help you fully understand what you need to do, not do and most importantly when and where.