Did you know that even if you didn’t do 20 years on active duty, you could draw a pension? This must be one of the VA’s best kept secrets!!! So I encourage you to spread the word. It’s not a huge amount of money but every little bit counts! I had no idea about this benefit until a huge veteran supporter friend of mine Debbie Burak of the Veteran Aid Organization clued me in. Here’s the scoop as quoted from her site:
The VA Improved Pension – The VA classifies any veteran at the age of 65 to be permanently and totally disabled regardless of your physical state. The classification of “Disabled” entitles the veteran or widow for a Basic Pension if he/she meets the net worth and income criteria. The same is true for the surviving spouse. No Physician’s Statement is required for filing for Basic Pension. To be eligible for Basic Pension:
- A veteran alone must have countable income LESS than $11,830 a year
- A veteran with a spouse must have countable income LESS than: $15,493 a year
For more information see Code of Federal Regulation Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1521(b) or (c)). Also check this site for more information as it becomes available. (Veteran Aid.org)
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