Pension & Widow's Pension
Qualifications for VA Disability Pension & VA Widows Pension
VA disability Pension/Widows Pension is a program that provides financial support to wartime veterans or their widows. Under this program, the amount of pension depends upon total income of the veteran and/or spouse. Countable income may be reduced by paid, unreimbursed medical expenses.
Eligibility
- Veteran must have 90 days or more active duty, one of which must have been during a wartime.
- Veteran must be determined by the VA to be 100% disabled.
- Veteran/Widow must meet income guidelines.
War Time Dates:
World War II | December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 |
Korea | June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955 |
Vietnam | August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975 |
Gulf/Iraq/Afghanistan | August 1, 1990 to present |
Veteran Income Guidelines (effective 12/01/2018)
Single Veteran | $13,166.00 |
Veteran with One Dependent | $17,241.00 |
Each Additional Dependent add | $2,205.00 |
Single Veteran determined to be Housebound | $16,089.00 |
Veteran with One Dependent Housebound | $20,166.00 |
Single Veteran in need of Aid & Attendance | $21,962.00 |
Veteran with One Dependent in need of Aid & Attendance | $26,036.00 |
Widows Income Guidelines (effective 12/01/2018)
Single Widow | $8,830.00 |
Widow with One Dependent | $11,557.00 |
Each Additional Dependent add | $2,205.00 |
Single Widow determined to be Housebound | $10,792.00 |
Widow with One Dependent Housebound | $13,514.00 |
Single Widow in need of Aid & Attendance | $14,113.00 |
Widow with One Dependent in need of Aid & Attendance | $16,837.00 |
Documentation required for VA Disability Pension & VA Widows Pension
- DD Form 214 (Veterans Discharge from Military)
- Copy of death certificate of Veteran (if filing for Widows Pension)
- Copy of Marriage License/divorce decree (if applicable)
- Income Information (Social Security, Interest Income, Private Retirement Income, etc.)
- Asset information (CD's, IRA's, stocks, bonds, etc.) (Asset limitation is $80,000)
- Aid and Attendance VA Form 21-2680 completed by physician (if applicable)
- Paid, unreimbursed medical expenses (Medications, Doctor Fees, cost of health insurance, cost of patient sitter, cost of assisted living/nursing home care, etc.)
- If an Assisted Living/Nursing Home Resident, statement from facility to include: Name and Address of facility, date of entry, date of Medicaid eligibility, cost of assisted living/nursing home care (you can not count room and board charge only what % of the total amount that is actually for medical expenses and care)
- Minor children's Social Security numbers and birth certificates