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Aid & Attendance
Veterans and survivors who are eligible for VA Pension and require the aid and attendance of another person, or are housebound, may be eligible for additional monetary payment.
VA helps Veterans and their families cope with financial challenges by providing supplemental income through the Veterans Pension benefit. Veterans Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to low-income wartime Veterans.
Get your VA compensation and pension benefits easily and conveniently using direct deposit or a pre-paid debit card.
About Pension
VA helps Veterans and their families cope with financial challenges by providing supplemental income through the Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension benefit programs.
Benefit 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..
Eligibility Requirements
Pension benefits are needs-based and your "countable" family income must fall below the yearly limit set by law. There is a net worth limitation that must be met. Veterans must have at 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
How to Apply for Veterans Pension
You can apply for Veterans Pension online or download and complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, “Application for Pension”. You can mail your application to the Pension Management Center (PMC) that serves your state. You may also visit your local regional benefit office and turn in your application for processing. You can locate your local regional benefit office using the VA Facility Locator.
How to Apply for Survivors Pension
To apply for Survivors Pension, download and complete VA Form 21P-534EZ, “Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits” and mail it to the Pension Management Center (PMC) that serves your state. You may also visit your local regional benefit office and turn in your application for processing.
You can locate your local regional benefit office using the VA Facility Locator.Video Spotlight
VA Pension: Enhanced Pension Benefits
As Veterans and survivors consider applying for Pension benefits, VA would like to share important information about the Pension program. Learn how the VA Pension Program can help you.
VA's pension program provides monthly benefit payments to certain wartime Veterans with financial need, and their survivors. As Veterans and survivors consider applying for these benefits, VA would like to share important information about the pension program and organizations offering assistance with pension applications.
Don't be a victim! Be aware of pension poaching scams. To learn more click here..