As a nation, we celebrate Veterans Day every November 11 to honor the dedication and sacrifice of our service men and women. In line with this we are dedicated to shedding light on Service Pension benefits available to qualifying Veterans. This is a crucial benefit that many Veterans and their families may be unaware of, and it’s facing potential legislative changes.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the benefits and a glimpse into the proposed amendments.

Basic Service Pension: Meeting Criteria for Support

To qualify for Basic Service Pension, Veterans must meet specific criteria, including a minimum period of active duty during wartime (see chart below), an honorable discharge, and meeting age or disability conditions. Additionally, they must meet criteria such as being 65 years or older, permanently and totally disabled, in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, or receiving Supplemental Security Income. Financial eligibility involves assessing the Veteran’s worth and ensuring their family income is below the yearly limit set by law.

Service Pension Benefits

Unmarried, low-income Veterans meeting the stated criteria may qualify for a monthly pension of up to $1,161 (2023 figures), with those having one dependent qualifying for up to $1,521. These amounts increase annually, mirroring Social Security benefit raises. Additional benefits are available for housebound or aid-dependent Veterans, ranging from $1,937 to $2,296.

Death Benefits

If a Veteran passes away, their surviving spouse or child may be eligible for Death Benefits, provided they meet similar criteria. The surviving spouse must have a valid marriage to the Veteran and not be remarried.

In 2023, a qualifying surviving spouse without dependents may receive up to $779, or $975 with one dependent child.  Surviving spouses needing aid and attendance may qualify for up to $1,247 without dependents.

Pension Benefits Application Process

The application process for these benefits can be time-consuming and subject to interpretation. Veterans’ worth, a subjective criterion, is determined by the Veteran’s Administration. Seeking advice from an Elder Law Attorney is essential, especially in case of claim denials, where qualified legal representation is imperative.

Given the lengthy and cumbersome nature of the application process for Veterans and their families, recent proposals aim to streamline it, reflecting efforts to improve efficiency in the application procedure.

Conclusion

Our nation seeks to honor its service men and women through benefits such as those discussed herein. Unfortunately, many Veterans and their families are unaware of the available service pension benefits. If you know a wartime Veteran or surviving spouse of a wartime Veteran, we’d be delighted to speak with them about potential eligibility for pension benefits.