Eligibility VA Pensions

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You may be eligible for the Veterans Pension program if you meet these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

• You didn't receive a dishonorable discharge, and
• Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth includes all personal property you own (except your house, car, and most home furnishings) minus any debt you owe. Your net worth consists of the net worth of your spouse.
• Find out about Veteran's Pension rates.

And at least one of these must be true about your service:

• You started on active duty before September 8, 1980, and you served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime, or
• You started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the entire period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during wartime or
• You were an officer and started active duty after October 16, 1981. You hadn't previously served on active duty for at least 24 months.
  • NOTE: Under current law, VA recognizes the following wartime periods to decide eligibility for VA pension benefits:
    • 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 (November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam.)
    • Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)

And at least one of these must be true:

• You're at least 65 years old, or
• You have a permanent and total disability or
• You're a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability or
• You're getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income

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