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Pension

 

grandfather and granddaughterAbout Pension

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

grandfather and granddaughterBenefit 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..

man in wheelchairEligibility 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 

grandson and grandparent in wheelchairHow 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 Video

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.

See the video »

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..

Warning: Pension recipients at risk of financial exploitation.

This is a warning about dishonest individuals who prey on those who receive pension benefits with regular aid and attendance. There have been reports of scam artists targeting and taking advantage of Veterans receiving these benefits.

Learn how to protect yourself.

Resources

We’re here anytime, day or night – 24/7

If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves.

Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

Last updated: January 17, 2024.