Veteran_ Resource_ book_2014
Veteran_ Resource_ book_2014
Veteran_ Resource_ book_2014
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QUALIFYING WARTIME SERVICE<br />
Generally, a veteran must have at least 90 days of active duty service, with at<br />
least one day during a wartime period to qualify for a VA Pension. Generally, a<br />
veteran who entered active duty after September 7, 1980, must have served at<br />
least 24 months or the full period for which the veteran was called or ordered to<br />
active duty (with some exceptions), with at least one day during a wartime period.<br />
To view a complete listing of beginning and ending dates of each war period<br />
starting with World War II, see the ‘Healthcare’ section (pg. 59).<br />
In addition to meeting minimum service requirements, the veteran must be:<br />
»»<br />
Age 65 or older; or<br />
»»<br />
Totally and permanently disabled; or<br />
»»<br />
A patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care; or<br />
»»<br />
Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance; or<br />
»»<br />
Receiving Supplemental Security Income.<br />
WHAT IS CONSIDERED PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED?<br />
»»<br />
A patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability; or<br />
»»<br />
Disabled, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security for purposes<br />
of any benefits administered by the Commissioner; or<br />
»»<br />
Unemployable as a result of disability reasonably certain to continue<br />
throughout the life of the person; or<br />
»»<br />
Suffering from:<br />
»»<br />
Any disability which is sufficient to render it impossible for the average<br />
person to follow a substantially gainful occupation, but only if it is<br />
reasonably certain that such disability will continue throughout the life<br />
of the person; or<br />
»»<br />
Any disease or disorder determined by VA to be of such a nature or extent<br />
as to justify a determination that persons suffering from that disease or<br />
disorder are permanently and totally disabled.<br />
WHAT IS COUNTABLE INCOME FOR VETERANS PENSION<br />
ELIGIBILITY PURPOSES?<br />
Most income received by the veteran and his or her dependents affects pension<br />
eligibility, including earnings, social security, disability and retirement payments,<br />
interest and dividends, and net income from farming or business. The income<br />
limits are adjusted periodically.<br />
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