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Learn about types of benefits available to some veterans with disabilities. These include compensation, pensions, and grants for veterans with certain service-connected disabilities as well as pensions for some veterans 65 and older and grants for vets with age-related disabilities.
Veterans who have a service-related injury or illness may be entitled to VA disability compensation. It’s a tax-free monthly benefit.
Visit VA.gov to learn:
Which conditions qualify you for benefits
How the claims process works
Where to file your claim
How to appeal a decision you disagree with. The process changed in February 2019.
Survivors of veterans may receive compensation benefits in certain situations.
Low-income wartime veterans and their survivors may qualify for a tax-free pension. These monthly payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are based on financial need.
Both pensions base eligibility on the veteran’s service time, financial need, and age or status of the veteran or survivor.
The amount for both pensions is the difference between the recipient’s "countable" income and the annual pension limit set by Congress.
See how to apply for a veterans pension, including online.
See how to apply for a survivors pension.
If you receive a VA pension, you may also qualify for Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits. You can only get one of them. Each has its own qualifications.
Watch a short video explaining Aid & Attendance.
In some cases, veterans can receive disability compensation. It's not the same as the VA pension. Here’s a way to tell the difference:
Disability compensation is for an illness or injury that happens because of or was made worse by your military service. It’s not income-based and war service is not required.
A VA pension is for low-income war veterans who may have a disability that is not service-related.
Some people confuse military retirement benefits with a VA pension. Here are two ways to tell the difference:
Military retirement is taxable but a VA pension is tax-free.
Military retirement uses years of service (not necessarily wartime). But a VA pension is based on wartime service and financial need.
Veterans with certain service-connected or aging-related disabilities can get housing help. You may qualify for special housing grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Apply for a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or a Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant. You can use it to:
Build an adapted home
Install ramps or widen doors
Make other modifications to help you live independently
If you qualify for an SAH or SHA grant but are living temporarily in a family member’s home, you may be able to get a Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant. It can pay for necessary changes to your relative’s home.
You may be eligible for a Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant. You do not need to have a service-connected disability to qualify. This grant provides medically necessary improvements and structural changes to your primary home.
Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.
Last Updated: March 16, 2020