| VETERAN SERVICES |
Pension
You can receive a monthly pension if you are a wartime veteran with limited income, and you are permanently and totally disabled or at least 65 years old.
Time Limits: There is no time limit to apply for Compensation and Pension benefits.
PENSION: (Non-Service Connected - NSC) Wartime veterans with limited income, who are totally and permanently disabled for reasons not traceable to the service, may be eligible to receive (NSC) pension. Veterans 65 years of age or older are no longer automatically considered totally and permanently disabled. Pension is based upon income. Pension is not payable to those who have estates that can provide adequate maintenance. Military service must have been for at least 90 days during a period of war and service cannot be dishonorable in nature.
Non-service connected pension is reduced dollar for dollar by all countable income that a vet or his family has. (i.e. - vet is entitled to $807 per month in NSC pension from the VA and he has $500 per month coming from SSD. The vet will receive $307 from the VA every month. The amount reimbursed cannot exceed the maximum pension rate for the vet's category. Unreimbursed medical expenses should be accurately kept and reported yearly. This would include medical insurance, doctor and hospital bills, prescriptions, dental, etc. The VA can reimburse you for up to the total amount of NSC pension allowed, that you did not receive monthly.
A veteran who is a patient in a nursing home or otherwise determined by the VA to be in need of the regular Aid & Attendance of another person, or is permanently housebound, MAY be entitled to additional pension benefits.
The amount of pension received under these laws has remained at the same rate for those entitled to pension since December 31, 1978. The amount is protected as long as there is no loss of spouse or dependent and as long as their income does not exceed an adjusted income limitation. Once veterans elect to leave these programs they can never return to them.
WHEN A VETERAN WITHOUT A SPOUSE OR A CHILD IS BEING FURNISHED NURSING CARE THROUGH MEDICAID, THE VA ONLY ALLOWS $40 PER MONTH FOR PERSONAL EXPENSES.
Improved Disability Benefits Pension Rate Table - Effective 12/1/08
Veteran Alone & With Dependents
Date
of Cost-of-Living Increase: 12-01-2007
Increase Factor: 5.8
%
Standard Medicare Deduction: $96.40
|
Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) Category |
Amount |
|
If you are a veteran... |
Your yearly income must be less than... |
|
Without Spouse or Child |
$11,830 |
|
|
To be deducted, medical expenses must exceed 5% of PR, or, $592 |
|
With One Dependent |
$15,493 |
|
|
To be deducted, medical expenses must exceed 5% of PR, or, $775 |
|
Housebound Without Dependents |
$14,457 |
|
Housebound With One Dependent |
$18,120 |
|
A&A Without Dependents |
$19,736 |
|
A&A With One Dependent |
$23,396 |
|
Two Vets Married to Each Other |
$15,493 |
|
Add for Early War Veteran (Mexican Border Period or WW1) to any category above |
$2,686 |
|
Add for Each Additional Child to any category above |
$2,020 |