Veterans Pension is a ‘needs based’ benefit paid to wartime veterans who have limited or no income and net worth. Additionally, to qualify for pension, the veterans must be age 65 or older or, if under age 65, must be permanently and totally disabled.

There are some basic requirements a veteran must meet to be eligible for VA pension.

The veteran must have been discharged under other-than-dishonorable conditions, and have at least 90 days of wartime service, or at least 90 days of consecutive service, 1 day of which was during a period of war.

The veteran must be permanently and totally disabled (P&T). The disability can’t be the result of willful misconduct, but they can be nonservice connected which means they are not related to military service. Permanent and Total Disability is defined as an impairment of mind or body which is enough to make it impossible for the average person to follow a substantially gainful occupation. Permanent and total disability exists when impairment is reasonably certain to continue throughout the life of the disabled person.

The purpose of the VA pension program is to bring the total income of qualified veteran to an established level. This includes income received by the veteran and his or her dependents, if any, from earnings, disability and retirement payments, interest and dividends, and net income from farming or business.

Net worth is the value of all assets including bank accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and any property other than the veteran’s residence and a reasonable lot area. There is no set limit on how much net worth a veteran can have, but it cannot be excessive. The VA pension program is not intended to protect substantial assets or build up an estate for the benefit of heirs.

The VA considers claimant’s income from work, social security, retirement, interest income or other income and subtracts the amount of qualifying reported un-reimbursed medical expenses (UME). Un-reimbursed medical expenses include items such as Medicare and private health insurance premiums, any medical bills paid by you, prescription drugs, funeral bills, etc. ). The amount left over is what the VA considers as ‘income for VA purposes’ (IVAP).

The maximum annual rate a veteran can receive through the pension program is $13,931 or $18,243 with one dependent. To determine your eligibility, add up your total income and subtract your un-reimbursed medical expenses. This figure should be subtracted from the pension rate above. The final figure would be your annual pension rate.

These are only general guidelines. If you have any questions or would like to file a claim, contact Charles Mix County Veterans Service Officer Jerry Seiner at the county courthouse at 605-487-7691 or by cell at 605-481-1338. You can also stop in the office on the main floor of the courthouse. Office hours are 8:00 – 4:30 on Monday and Tuesday and 8:00 – 12:00 on Wednesday.