This post is the first part of a three part series. In this post you will learn if you make, or will make, too much money to qualify for VA pension benefits. But don't dismiss your ability to collect VA pension benefits based on the limits you read here. The second post discusses what types of income streams count towards this income limit. The third post will discuss what items that you subtract from your income for VA pension benefit purposes, which could leave you with $0 income.
Well, this first part of the series is relatively simple. If you apply for non-service connected pension benefits from the VA, you need to have made less income than the benefit amount for the year. For example, if you are an unmarried veteran seeking housebound benefits, which is $ 14,457, you must have an income less than $ 14,457 to receive the VA pension benefit. Therefore, you cannot claim VA pension benefits if your countable income exceeds the benefit you are seeking.
Take your income, determine which type of VA pension benefit you seek (whether the basic VA pension benefit, housebound, or aid and attendance), and subtract your income from the benefit amount that you seek. The result will be the amount of benefit you will receive from the VA.
In the future posts, you will learn how your income can be reduced for the purposes of your VA pension benefits application. What you perceive as income may not be counted as income for VA pension purposes or you may be able to take deductions from the income. Either method will result in you receiving additional cash to pay for long term health care expenses.
Kellen Bryant, Esquire, is a Jacksonville, Florida elder care lawyer specializing in VA aid and attendance benefits.
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