Department of Veterans' Affairs Compensation and Pension Programs
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs offers the Veteran Disability Compensation and Veteran
Pension programs, which may provide you with assistance based on your personal circumstances.
Veteran Disability Compensation
If you are a military veteran with a service-related disability you may qualify for monthly
benefit payments. These benefits are paid to veterans who are disabled by an injury or disease
that occurred while on active duty, active duty for training, or was made worse by active military
service. These benefits are tax-free.
You may be eligible for disability compensation if you have a service-related disability and
you were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
The amount of compensation that can be paid through this program ranges from $115 to $3,000
per month, depending on the severity of your disabilities.
Your monthly compensation rate is also based on other circumstances. For example you may
receive an increased payment if you have any of the following:
- very severe disabilities or loss of limb(s)
- a spouse, child(ren), or dependent parent(s)
- a seriously disabled spouse
You can apply for compensation benefits by filling out VA Form 21-526,
Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension (
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-526-are.pdf). Be
sure to attach copies of any of the following documents to your application:
- Discharge or separation papers (DD214 or equivalent)
- National Guard service members should also include a copy of their military orders,
presidential proclamation or executive order that clearly demonstrates the federal nature of the
service
- Dependency records (marriage & children's birth certificates) - as applicable
- Medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports)
Veteran Pension
If you are a wartime veteran with limited income
and you are permanently and totally disabled
or age 65 or older you may be eligible for a Veteran Pension. The Veteran Pension
(also known as VA Pension) is a non-service-connected benefit that provides a monthly payment to
supplement your income.
You may be eligible if you meet the following criteria:
- you were discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions,
AND
- you served 90 days or more of active duty and at least one day of that service had to occur
during a period of war *,
AND
- your countable family income is below a yearly limit set by law,
AND
- you are permanently and totally disabled,
OR
*Note: Anyone who enlists after September 7, 1980, generally must have served
at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty. Military
service from August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation is
considered to be a period of war (Gulf War).
VA Pension pays you the difference between your countable family income and the yearly income
limit. This difference is generally paid in 12 equal monthly payments rounded down to the
nearest dollar.
Example: Joe (a single veteran) has an annual income of $5,000. His annual income
limit is $10,929. To determine Joe's pension, subtract his annual income of $5000 from the $10,929
income limit, which gives him an annual pension rate of $5,929. This translates into a monthly
pension check of $494.
- Discharge or separation papers (DD214 or equivalent)
- Dependency records (marriage & children's birth certificates) - as applicable
- Medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports)
Date Last Reviewed: February 14, 2011
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