Veterans with low incomes who are permanently and totally disabled may be eligible for monetary support if they have 90 days or more of active military service, at least one day of which was during a period of war. The discharge from active duty must have been under conditions other than dishonorable. The permanent and total disability must be for reasons other than the veteran's own willful misconduct. Payments are made to qualified veterans to bring their total income, including other retirement or Social Security Income, to a level set by Congress. Countable income may be reduced by un-reimbursed medical expenses.
Improved Pension
The Improved Pension program provides for the maximum annual rates of benefits. The payment is reduced by the amount of the countable income of the veteran and the income of the spouse or dependent children. When a veteran without a spouse or a child is being furnished nursing home or domiciliary care by VA, the pension is reduced to an amount not to exceed $90 per month after three calendar months of care. The reduction may be delayed if nursing-home care is being continued for the primary purpose of providing the veteran with rehabilitation services.
Protected Pension Programs
Pensioners entitled to benefits as of Dec. 31, 1978, who do not elect to receive a pension under the Improved Pension Program, continue to receive pension benefits at the rate they were entitled to receive on Dec. 31, 1978, as long as they remain permanently and totally disabled, do not lose a dependent, a dependent pensioner retains surviving spouse or child status, net worth limitations are not exceeded, and their incomes do not exceed the income limitation, adjusted annually.
Aid and Attendance or Housebound
A veteran who is a patient in a nursing home, who is otherwise determined by VA to be in need of the regular aid and attendance or another person who is permanently housebound, may be entitled to higher income limitations or additional benefits, depending on the type of pension received.