News for disabled veterans…

While not great, consider this a PSA for those who are disabled and on a very limited income.

Some veterans and family members don’t know that all non-reimbursed medical costs are deductible in calculating their income. For veterans who served during wartime and later became disabled and require aid either at home or in an institution, VA can provide a pension supplement to bring net annual income up to $20,795 for a single veteran or
$24,652 for a veteran and spouse.

If you are a veteran 65 and older, or permanently and totally disabled you may be eligible for the VA Non-Service Connected Disability Pension (NSC). The pension provides financial support to wartime veterans with a limited income. The amount payable under this program depends on the type and amount of income the veteran and his/her family members receive from other sources. Monthly payments are made to bring a veteran’s total annual income (including other retirement and Social Security income) to an established level.

You may be eligible for a NSC pension if you were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, and you served 90 days or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a period of war time*, and your countable family income is below a yearly limit set by law, and you are permanently and totally disabled, OR you are age 65 or
older.
*Note: Anyone who enlisted after September 7, 1980, generally must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty. Service from August 2, 1990 to present is considered to be a period of war.

You may be able to get this benefit if you haven’t remarried after the Veteran’s death, if the deceased Veteran didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and if service meets at least one of the requirements listed below:
– Entered active duty on or before September 7, 1980, and served at least 90 days on active service, with at least 1 day during a wartime period, or
– Entered active duty after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions), with at least 1 day during a wartime period, or
– Was an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months.

And this must be true: Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain set limits. Your net worth equals the value of everything you own (except your house, your car,
and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. The maximum survivor’s pension (assuming you had no income) is $9,078 without any children and $11,881 with one child. Net worth cannot exceed $127, 061. Survivors often experience shock and disappointment when they realize how much money the VA Survivor Pension actually pays.

BLUF- This is a helluva lot better than nothing! If you have questions, contact your counselor.

Comments

News for disabled veterans… — 6 Comments

  1. I shared this on Facebook. I was not aware this benefit existed. I hope this can help people who need the help. Thanks.

  2. Several veterans’ groups calculate service in the Korean War as 30 days continuous and 60 days total in Korea, even after the cease-fire in 1953. I don’t know if the VA counts this as service in the Korean War, but it’s worth a try for those who were in Korea after most of the shooting stopped.

    The VA also has the ability to pay a veteran’s caretaker or the veteran if they are a caretaker of someone. Not available everywhere supposedly, but the benefit is like $1,600+/- a month. So if you’re a vet and disabled and need someone full time, like your spouse, to help you, or you are a veteran and taking care of your parents, spouse or child who is disabled, check it out. Every little bit helps.

  3. I’m glad I cannot use the benefit. Our home is ours, and our only debt is the Ford we just bought.
    But I’m mulling over the fact-
    Sometimes I wish I had not worked so hard, saved so much, and planned so well.