What are VA Pension Benefits? Dan Meyer

The office hours for the Lac qui Parle County Veterans Service Office are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 598-3445.

What is VA Pension for veterans? Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans with limited income, and who are permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older.

Who is eligible? Generally, you may be eligible if: (1) you were discharged from service under conditions other than dishonorable, and (2) you served 90 days or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a period of war time*, and (3) your countable family income is below a yearly limit set by law, and (4) you are permanently and totally disabled (not due to your own willful misconduct) or you are age 65 or older.

*Note: Anyone who enlists after September 7, 1980, generally must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty. Service from August 2, 1990 to present is considered to be a period of war (Gulf War) in addition to other periods of war such as World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

How much does VA pay? VA pays you the difference between your countable family income and the yearly income limit (situational income charts are available at my office). The difference is generally paid in 12 equal monthly payments rounded down to the nearest dollar.

If I am already receiving monthly payments or a service-connected disability can I also get VA pension? No, you cannot receive a VA non-service connected pension and service-connected compensation at the same time, however, if you qualify for a pension and are awarded payments, VA will pay you whichever benefit is the greater amount.

How do I apply for veterans non-service connected pension? You can apply by filling out VA Form 21-526, Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension. If available, attach copies of dependency records (marriage & children's birth certificates) and current medical evidence (doctor and hospital reports). You can also apply online through the following VA website at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-827-1000, or visit the web site at www.va.gov.

Remember, to contact your county veterans service officer for information concerning the application process, countable income for veterans pension eligibility, net worth requirements, exclusions to income or deductions to reduce countable income, how VA calculates your pension, and questions concerning Aid and Attendance, and Housebound benefits.


Until next week, take care and "Fair winds and following seas."

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