Pension is a benefit paid to wartime Veterans who have limited or no income, and who are age 65 or older, or, under 65, and are permanently and totally disabled, or, a patient in a nursing home, or, are receiving Social Security disability payments. Veterans who are more seriously disabled may qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. These are benefits that are paid in addition to the basic pension rate.

There are a number of criteria that may affect your eligibility to pension benefits. If you are unsure if you meet all criteria, we encourage you to call our office to discuss your unique situation that may qualify you for a non-service connected pension, particularly if you are low income with little or no assets (excluding the home you live in). Unreimbursed medical expenses are expenses you have paid for medical services or products for which you will not be reimbursed by Medicare or private medical insurance, including nursing home, assisted living & in home health care.

Remember, qualifying criteria include: your household income, your household assets, your household medical expenses, your age, your level of disability, and the time period in which you were on active duty. This is not a benefit that every veteran qualifies for.

Important: wartime veterans who are patients in a Nursing Home or live in an Assisted Living Facility may find they are qualified for some type of VA Non-Service Connected Pension.

Wartime veteran does not mean that you served overseas or in the area of combat, only that you served during the period of time established by the VA as qualifying time.