The freedoms, benefits, and quality of life enjoyed by everyone living in the United States would not be possible without the sacrifice of every veteran, surviving spouse, and family member of those who served in the Armed Forces. While there is no way to ever truly repay veterans and their families for the sacrifice they have made, the government does attempt to give back to veterans and their dependents in the form of veterans benefits. Most veterans are aware of the benefits available to them through some of the more well-known programs; however, veterans and their dependents may also be entitled to assistance from other, less well-known, programs as well. To help you better understand the benefits that may be available to you, the elder law attorneys at The Mendel Law Firm, L.P have put together some frequently asked questions and answers relating to veterans benefits. If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office to schedule a consultation.
What is veterans pension?
Veteran's pension program provides monthly benefit payments to certain wartime veterans with financial need, and their survivors. The veterans pension program is a needs-based benefit paid to a wartime veteran and his/her survivor(s).
Am I eligible for veterans pension?
The general guidelines for the veterans pension program indicate that you might qualify if you:
- Were discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions, AND
- Served 90 days or more of active military, naval or air service with at least one day during a period of war, AND
- Have countable income below the maximum annual pension rate, AND
- Meet the net worth limitations, AND
- Are age 65 or older, OR is shown by evidence to have a permanent and total non-service connected disability, OR is a patient in a nursing home, OR is receiving Social Security disability benefits.
- Veterans who entered active duty after September 7, 1980, must also have served at least 24 months of active duty service. If the total length of service is less than 24 months, the Veteran must have completed his/her entire tour of active duty.
What is the Veterans Aid and Attendance program?
The Veteran’s Aid & Attendance (VA&A) program is intended to provide additional monetary assistance above and beyond that provided by the VA pension program. The additional assistance is aimed at helping veterans who need help with daily tasks of living, such as dressing, bathing, or cooking by providing the financial resources to hire so someone to help. The maximum benefit amount for Veterans Aid & Attendance will depend on the category under which you qualify and will be subject to change each year. Housebound benefits are similar to Aid and Attendance benefits but require a beneficiary to be substantially confined to his or her immediate premises because of a permanent disability.
I am a surviving spouse. Am I eligible for any financial benefits?
The most well-known benefit available to a surviving spouse is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
How do I qualify for DIC benefits?
To qualify for DIC benefits as a surviving spouse, the following eligibility guidelines apply:
- You were married to a Servicemember who died on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, OR
- You were validly married the Veteran before January 1, 1957, OR
- You were married to the Veteran within 15 years of discharge from the period of military service in which the disease or injury that caused the Veteran's death began or was aggravated, OR
- You were married to the Veteran for at least one year, OR
- You had a child with the Veteran, AND
- You cohabited with the Veteran continuously until the Veteran's death or, if separated, was not at fault for the separation, AND
- You are not currently be remarried
If I am a disabled veteran am I entitled to any benefits?
Veterans who have disabilities, medical conditions, or injuries incurred or aggravated during active military service may be eligible to receive tax-free monthly benefits. To be eligible for disability benefits, you must show:
- You have a current physical or mental disability.
- You had an injury or disease in service or experienced an event in service that caused or aggravated an injury or disease.
- There is a link between your current disability and the event, injury, or disease in military service.
Will I be able to get any help with education or training as a result of my service?
In fact, this is one of the most commonly recognized benefits to joining the service. Among the education and training benefits are the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance, and the Yellow Ribbon Program which helps pay tuition costs for private, out-of-state, or graduate school.
What is veterans pension?
Veteran's pension program provides monthly benefit payments to certain wartime veterans with financial need, and their survivors. The veterans pension program is a needs-based benefit paid to a wartime veteran and his/her survivor(s).
Am I eligible for veterans pension?
The general guidelines for the veterans pension program indicate that you might qualify if you:
- Were discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions, AND
- Served 90 days or more of active military, naval or air service with at least one day during a period of war, AND
- Have countable income below the maximum annual pension rate, AND
- Meet the net worth limitations, AND
- Are age 65 or older, OR is shown by evidence to have a permanent and total non-service connected disability, OR is a patient in a nursing home, OR is receiving Social Security disability benefits.
- Veterans who entered active duty after September 7, 1980, must also have served at least 24 months of active duty service. If the total length of service is less than 24 months, the Veteran must have completed his/her entire tour of active duty.
What is the Veterans Aid and Attendance program?
The Veteran’s Aid & Attendance (VA&A) program is intended to provide additional monetary assistance above and beyond that provided by the VA pension program. The additional assistance is aimed at helping veterans who need help with daily tasks of living, such as dressing, bathing, or cooking by providing the financial resources to hire so someone to help. The maximum benefit amount for Veterans Aid & Attendance will depend on the category under which you qualify and will be subject to change each year. Housebound benefits are similar to Aid and Attendance benefits but require a beneficiary to be substantially confined to his or her immediate premises because of a permanent disability.
I am a surviving spouse. Am I eligible for any financial benefits?
The most well-known benefit available to a surviving spouse is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
How do I qualify for DIC benefits?
To qualify for DIC benefits as a surviving spouse, the following eligibility guidelines apply:
- You were married to a Servicemember who died on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, OR
- You were validly married the Veteran before January 1, 1957, OR
- You were married to the Veteran within 15 years of discharge from the period of military service in which the disease or injury that caused the Veteran's death began or was aggravated, OR
- You were married to the Veteran for at least one year, OR
- You had a child with the Veteran, AND
- You cohabited with the Veteran continuously until the Veteran's death or, if separated, was not at fault for the separation, AND
- You are not currently be remarried
If I am a disabled veteran am I entitled to any benefits?
Veterans who have disabilities, medical conditions, or injuries incurred or aggravated during active military service may be eligible to receive tax-free monthly benefits. To be eligible for disability benefits, you must show:
- You have a current physical or mental disability.
- You had an injury or disease in service or experienced an event in service that caused or aggravated an injury or disease.
- There is a link between your current disability and the event, injury, or disease in military service.
Will I be able to get any help with education or training as a result of my service?
In fact, this is one of the most commonly recognized benefits to joining the service. Among the education and training benefits are the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance, and the Yellow Ribbon Program which helps pay tuition costs for private, out-of-state, or graduate school.
