Obtaining veterans’ pension benefits can be challenging. At Disability Law Group, we are dedicated to helping veterans recover the benefits they deserve after all the sacrifices they made for our country. Whether you are filing a pension claim for the first time or appealing an unfavorable decision, call or contact us today for a free consultation.
What Is a Veterans Pension?
A Veterans Pension is a monthly, tax-free benefit available to wartime veterans with a limited income. You must meet specific age, income, and disability requirements to qualify for this supplemental benefit. You can apply for a Veterans Pension online, at your local regional benefit office, or with the help of a skilled disability attorney.
Eligibility for Veterans Pension
To successfully apply for a Veterans Pension, you must satisfy eligibility requirements that include:
- An honorable discharge
- An annual family income and net worth that meets limits set by Congress
In addition, at least one of these must be true concerning your military service:
- Active duty started before September 8, 1980, and you served at least 90 days on active duty and at least one day during wartime.
- Active duty as an enlisted person started after September 7, 1980, and you served at least 24 months or the entire period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions), with at least one day during wartime.
- You were an officer who started active duty after October 16, 1981, and had not previously served on active duty for at least 24 months.
Finally, at least one of these conditions must also be true:
- You are at least 65 years old.
- You have a total and permanent disability.
- You live in a long-term nursing home due to a disability.
- You receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes the following wartime periods when considering eligibility for pension benefits:
- Mexican Border period – May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917
- World War I – April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918
- World War II – December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946
- Korean Conflict – June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955
- Vietnam War era for Veterans who served in Vietnam – November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975
- Vietnam War era for Veterans who served outside Vietnam – August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975
- Gulf War – August 2, 1990, through a future date not yet set
Aid & Attendance Benefits
VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits are monthly payments added to the amount of monthly Veterans Pension benefits you receive. Veterans may qualify if they need assistance with daily activities or are housebound.
If you receive a VA pension, you may be eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits, but at least one of these conditions must be true:
- You need help from someone else to perform daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, and feeding.
- You must stay in bed all day (or most of the day) due to an illness.
- You are a nursing home patient due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability.
- Your eyesight is limited. Even with glasses or contact lenses, you have only 5/200 or less in both eyes — or concentric contraction of the visual field to five degrees or less.
While you cannot receive Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits simultaneously, you could be eligible for Housebound benefits if you get a VA pension and spend most of your time in your home due to a permanent disability.
To support your claim for Aid and Attendance or Household benefits, a disability lawyer can assist you in completing the required VA form, which may require the following documentation:
- Evidence, including a doctor’s report, demonstrating you need Aid and Attendance or Housebound care
- Information about your daily activities and transportation
- Information that shows how your illness, injury, or disability affects your ability to perform daily living activities, such as bathing
How Disability Law Group Can Help with Your Claim
At Disability Law Group, our sole focus is disability law and helping veterans receive the benefits they need. How can we help with your pension claim?
- Our attorneys will guide you through the process of seeking VA benefits from the initial application through appeals, if necessary. We are here to answer all your questions and assist you in gathering the evidence required to support your application.
- We will keep you informed each step of the way. Our lawyers understand the process for pursuing Veterans Pension Benefits can feel overwhelming, but we will provide detailed information and explain the unique legal strategies tailored to your case.
- The attorneys at the Disability Law Group will work hard to obtain the VA benefits you are entitled to. You worked hard to serve our country. You can expect us to work just as hard to secure pension benefits that bring financial security and stability to you and your family.
Contact an Experienced VA Benefits Lawyer Today for Help with Your Claim
If you need help pursuing a VA pension claim, you can count on the experienced attorneys at Disability Law Group to fight for your rights. Our trusted disability lawyers have the knowledge, skill, and tenacity you need to navigate the VA system and push for the benefits you worked hard for.
Disability Law Group attorneys are routinely recognized for excellence by their peers and clients, including the American Bar Association. Super Lawyers has honored all three partners as Rising Stars since 2021. Let us show you how we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
