Pension

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.