| USSVI Veterans News
Posting Date: 22 August, 2005 From: John Dudas Many Veterans Qualify for VA NSC Pension at 65 Many veterans receive a non-service connected pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on reaching age 65. Veterans who are under 65 qualify if they are permanently and totally disabled. For disabled veterans, the disability does not have to have any relationship to the veteran's military service. Eligibility for the non-service connected pension requires you to have served during a specific "period of war” such as World War II, Korea, Vietnam, etc. Eligibility is also based upon need, and a veteran is generally eligible if he or she has less than $80,000 in net assets. The home and one motor vehicle are not counted in determining assets. The annual income must also be below certain limits. For 2005, the maximum benefit for a single veteran is $846 per month. If the veteran has a spouse or other dependent, the maximum amount is $1,109 per month. In determining eligibility and the amount of the benefit paid, the VA will subtract any income, such as Social Security or retirement benefits, the veteran and his dependents receive from the maximum amount. |