United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Pension Service

 

VA Pension Benefits: Supplemental income for wartime Veterans

VA helps Veterans and their families cope with financial challenges by providing supplemental income through the Veterans Pension and Survivors' Pension benefit programs.

Tab ImageBenefit Description

VA offers two broad categories of Pension benefit programs:

Veterans Pension: Tax-free monetary benefit payable to low-income wartime Veterans. Learn More

Survivors' Pension: Tax-free monetary benefit payable to a low-income, un-remarried surviving spouse and/or unmarried child(ren) of a deceased Veteran with wartime service. Learn More

Veterans and survivors who are eligible for Pension benefits and are housebound or require the aid and attendance of another person may be eligible to receive additional monetary amounts.

To learn more about what Veterans and their families should know when applying for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Pension Benefits click here..

Tab ImageEligibility Requirements

Pension benefits are needs-based and your "countable" family income must fall below the yearly limit set by law. Veterans must have least 90 days of active duty, including one day during a wartime period. If the active duty occurred after September 7, 1980, you must have served at least 24 months or the full period that you were called up (with some exceptions). You must also be:

  • Age 65 or older with limited or no income, OR
  • Totally and permanently disabled, OR
  • A patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, OR
  • Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, OR
  • Receiving Supplemental Security Income

The Veteran must have met the service requirements above for surviving spouses and children applying for the Survivors' Pension. Learn More 

grandson and grandparent in wheelchairHow to Apply for Veterans Pension

  • Apply online using VONAPP Direct Connect on eBenefits OR
  • Download VA Form 21-526EZ OR
  • Call VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000 to have a claim form mailed to you OR
  • Work with an accredited representative or agent OR
  • Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee to assist you. You can find your regional office on our Facility Locator page.

How to Apply for Survivors' Pension

  • Download VA Form 21-534  OR
  • Call VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000 to have a claim form mailed to you OR
  • Work with an accredited representative or agent OR
  • Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee to assist you. You can find your regional office on our Facility Locator page.

FAQs

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