Pensions

Veterans Affairs Pensions

The VA Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have income and net worth within certain limits. You may be eligible for the Veterans Pension program if you meet these requirements.


Both of these must be true:

• You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and

• Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth includes all personal property you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. Your net worth includes the net worth of your spouse.


And at least one of these must be true about your service:

• You started on active duty before September 8, 1980, and you served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime, or

• You started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during wartime, or

• You were an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and you hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months


And at least one of these must be true:

• You’re at least 65 years old, or

• You have a permanent and total disability, or

• You’re a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or

• You’re getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income 

To Apply for Veterans Pension Benefits, an accredited representative, like a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), can help you fill out your claim. The veteran will need to submit or possess:

VA Form 21P-527EZ



Veterans Affairs Benefits

Debt Management Center               

Education (GI Bill, Chapter 35)       

1-800-827-1000

1-800-827-0648

1-888-442-4551

Pension Management Center         

Home Loans      

1-877-294-6380

1-888-827-3702


Veterans Affairs Regional Offices:

Every veteran transitioning into a new area should visit the VA Regional Office to confirm their eligibility and update any information that otherwise might not be available including submitting an ‘Intent to File’ for any claims for VA Disability or other VA – related programs. Veterans Service Officers are responsible for filing a claim for disability and VA Regional is responsible for associated benefits and compensation. The veteran should make a conscious effort to keep engaged with the VA while in the shelter system or while transitioning.

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