The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet specific age or disability criteria and have income and net worth within certain limits. Learn more about your eligibility for this benefit.
Are You Eligible for Veterans Pension Benefits?
You may qualify for the Veterans Pension program if you meet the following criteria:
Both of these must be true:
- You did not receive a dishonorable discharge, and
- Your yearly family income and net worth are within limits set by Congress. Net worth includes all personal property you own (excluding your house, car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. This also includes the net worth of your spouse.
Find out more about Veterans Pension rates.
Additionally, at least one of these must be true regarding your service:
- You began active duty before September 8, 1980, and served at least 90 days on active duty, with at least one day during wartime, or
- You began 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 to active duty (with some exceptions), including at least one day during wartime, or
- You were an officer who started active duty after October 16, 1981, without prior active duty service for at least 24 months.
And at least one of these must be true:
- You are at least 65 years old, or
- You have a permanent and total disability, or
- You are a patient in a nursing home for long-term care due to a disability, or
- You are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.
Wartime Periods Recognized for Eligibility
Under current law, the following wartime periods are recognized for VA pension benefits eligibility:
- Mexican Border period: May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917 (for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters)
- World War I: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918
- World War II: December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946
- Korean conflict: June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955
- Vietnam War era (for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam): November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975
- Vietnam War era (for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam): August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975
- Gulf War: August 2, 1990, through a future date to be determined by law or presidential proclamation.
Discharge Status and Pension Eligibility
If you received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge, you may not be eligible for VA pension benefits. However, there are two ways you might still qualify:
- Apply for a discharge upgrade.
- Learn about the VA Character of Discharge review process.
How to Apply for Veterans Pension
You can apply online for Veterans Pension benefits.
Alternatively, you can apply by mail, in person, or with the assistance of a trained professional. Learn more about how to apply.
Additional VA Pension Benefits
- VA Survivors Pension: Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply for VA pension benefits as a surviving spouse or child of a deceased Veteran with wartime service.
- Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance: If you need help with daily activities or are housebound, discover how to apply for extra VA pension benefits.
Source VA.Gov
