Not everyone knows that the Veteran's Administration will pay a pension to

veterans of wartime service who have a limited income and who are either over 65

or permanently and totally disabled.

If your parent - or anyone else you might know - fits any of the criteria

below and he or she hasn't applied for pension benefits it might be a good idea

to look into this. I have met several vets who were barely making it and who had

no idea they might be eligible for some financial assistance.

The VA tends to some fairly convoluted explanations of its programs. Here's

the gist of how VA Pensions work

Pension Eligibility Requirements:

• The veteran was not dishonorably discharged from service;

• The veteran served 90 days or more of active duty, with at least one (1) day

  being during a period of war time (the veteran does not have to have served in

  combat or overseas on this one day);*

• The veteran is permanently and totally disabled OR age 65 or

  older.

*If the veteran enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980 he or she must have served at

least 24 months or the full period for which he or she was ordered to active

duty. Any service from August 20, 1990 to the present is considered to be a

period of war. Other periods of war are WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Income Limits For VA Pensions

The income limit to qualify for a VA pension is adjusted for inflation every

year. In order that we stay current we're giving you a link so you can see the

latest income limit

information available from the VA.   

How Much Will The VA Pay?

The VA will pay the difference between the veteran's countable income and the

yearly income limit. This benefit is usually paid in 12 equal monthly

installments. Welfare benefits and Supplemental Security Income are not usually

counted toward the annual income limit.

How Does A Veteran Apply For Pension Benefits?

A veteran who meets the income guidelines can href="http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp ">apply for Pension Benefits

online. You might have to help if your veteran isn't very comfortable with

computers. There are also State Veterans' Benefits Counselors who can assist

with these applications at no charge. You can locate the closest Benefits

Counselor by contacting your closest VA

Regional Office.