VA Pensions
Are you a Veteran with a disability or other health problem NOT related to your service? You may be eligible for Pension from the Veterans Administration or “VA.”
What is a VA Pension?
VA Pension is paid each month in cash to Veterans who are low-income, are totally disabled, and served during wartime. Unlike VA Compensation, a veteran can qualify for VA Pension even if their disabilities are not related to their service. This fact sheet does not cover Section 306 and Old Law Pensions.
Who does the VA consider to be a “veteran”?
A “veteran” is a person who:
- served in the active military, naval or air services, and
- as discharged or released under conditions “other than dishonorable.”
What does the VA mean by conditions “other than dishonorable”?
In general, if a service member received an honorable or general discharge, they may be entitled to VA Pension. When a veteran with a less favorable discharge status submits an application for benefits, the VA will make a “character of service” determination regarding whether that veteran’s misconduct led to their discharge. If the service member received a dishonorable discharge or character of service, they are likely not eligible for VA pension.
Can a National Guard member get VA Benefits?
Yes, service members in the National Guard can get benefits if they:
- are on full-time duty for training purposes, or
- are called to duty for training or to fill the needs of the Armed Forces during war or other national emergency.
NOTE: Members of the Guard are only eligible for VA benefits stemming from their “federal service.”
What veterans qualify for a VA pension?
1. The veteran must have no income or be low-income with few assets;
2. The veteran must be 65 years of age or permanently and totally disabled;
3. The veteran’s disabilities must not be caused by the willful misconduct of the veteran.
4. The veteran must have completed a minimum period of military service during wartime.
What are the current pension rate for Veterans?
As of December 1, 2025, the yearly income limits for pensions are:
For Veterans with no dependents:
| If you have no dependents and… | Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. dollars) |
| You don’t qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits | 17,441 |
| You qualify for Housebound benefits | 21,313 |
| You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits | 29,093 |
For Veterans with at least 1 dependent spouse or child:
| If you have 1 dependent and… | Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. dollars) |
| You don’t qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits | 22,839 |
| You qualify for Housebound benefits | 26,710 |
| You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits | 34,488 |
For 2 Veterans who are married to each other:
| If you’re 2 Veterans who are married to each other and… | Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. dollars) |
| Neither of you qualifies for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits | 22,839 |
| One of you qualifies for Housebound benefits | 26,710 |
| Both of you qualify for Housebound benefits | 30,580 |
| One of you qualifies for Aid and Attendance benefits | 34,488 |
| One of you qualifies for Housebound benefits and one of you qualifies for Aid and Attendance benefits | 38,350 |
| Both of you qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits | 46,143 |
For more updated information, go to https://www.va.gov/pension/veterans-pension-rates/.
Can medical expenses be deducted from a veteran’s countable income?
Unreimbursed medical expenses that total more than 5% of the maximum annual pension rate can be deducted from a veteran’s income if paid for out-of-pocket.
Is my dependent child’s income countable?
Yes, with some exceptions. If a dependent child is working, any income earned up to the lowest amount of gross income for which a federal tax return must be filed is not countable. If the child is in college or a vocational program, any amount the child actually spends on educational expenses is also excluded.
It may be possible to exclude the dependent child’s income if the veteran asks the VA clearly and in writing for a “hardship exception.” The law allows the VA to exclude the income of a dependent child if the veteran’s annual expenses for reasonable family maintenance are more than the veteran’s countable income and pension.
What are the asset limits for pension?
The VA will also consider whether the veteran has enough assets that it is reasonable to assume that part of these assets will be used for the veteran’s maintenance. Net worth includes assets and annual income. The net worth limit to qualify for pension as of December 1, 2025 is $163,699. The VA will consider any asset transfers the veteran made within 3 years of filing the claim.
For more updated information, go to https://www.va.gov/pension/veterans-pension-rates/.
Can a veteran get both Compensation and Pension?
No, the veteran must elect to get one or the other, not both.
What does “permanent and total disability” mean?
A veteran will be considered permanently and totally disabled if the veteran is:
1. A patient in a nursing home; or
2. Disabled, as determined by the Social Security Administration; or
3. Unemployable as a result of a disability reasonably certain to continue throughout the life of the person;
If the veteran is substantially and gainfully employed when they apply for a pension, then the veteran will not be found permanently and totally disabled for purposes of VA pension. There are some exceptions such as a sheltered workshop or rehabilitation facility.
What are the service requirements for a pension?
The veteran must have active service for:
1. 90 days during a period of war; or
2. 90 or more consecutive days, one day of which was during a period of war; or
3. At least one day of wartime service resulting in a discharge for a service-connected disability.
A veteran who enlisted in the military for the first time on or after September 8, 1980, must also have either completed twenty-four months of continuous active duty or the full period for which the veteran was called to active duty. This service requirement does not apply to veterans with any active service before September 1980.
What is a “period of war”?
In order to be eligible for VA pension, the veteran must have served in a “period of war”:
World War II: December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946 (extended to July 25, 1947, if continuous with service on or before December 31, 1946).
Korean War: June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955.
Vietnam War with service in the Republic of Vietnam: November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975.
Vietnam War with service outside the Republic of Vietnam: August 5, 1964, through May 7, 1975.
Persian Gulf War: August 2, 1990, through present day.
If pension is awarded, when is the effective date?
The pension award is usually effective from the date the veteran filed their claim, not the date the veteran became disabled. However, a veteran filing a claim within one year of becoming disabled may be entitled to a retroactive award consisting of one year of pension benefits if they can show the disability was so incapacitating it prevented filing the claim for at least thirty days immediately after becoming disabled.
To apply:
Fill out VA Form 21P-527EZ, Application for Pension.
Go to the VA website for fillable forms, summaries of programs and how to apply for benefits.
Information and resources for a caretaker and survivor: https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/
Information for same sex spouses: https://www.va.gov/opa/marriage/
Information on survivors’ pensions: https://www.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension/