Disability
Compensation Benefits
Disability
Pension Benefits
Financial
Assistance from the VA (Nursing Home/ALF)
DISABILITY
COMPENSATION BENEFITS
What
is VA Disability Compensation?
Disability Compensation is a benefit paid
to a veteran because of injuries or diseases
that happened while on active duty, or were
made worse by active military service. It
is also paid to certain veterans disabled
from VA health care. The benefits are tax-free.
Who is Eligible?
You may be eligible for Disability Compensation
if you have a service-related disability and
you were discharged under other than dishonorable
conditions.
How Much Does VA Pay?
The amount of basic benefit paid ranges from
$106 to $2,239 per month, depending on how
disabled you are.
Note: You may be paid additional amounts,
in certain instances, if:
- you
have very severe disabilities or loss
of limb(s)
- you
have a spouse, child(ren), or dependent
parent(s)
- you
have a seriously disabled spouse
How Can I Apply?
You can apply by filling out VA Form 21-526,
Veterans Application for Compensation or Pension.
If you have any of the following material,
attach it to your application:
- dependency
records (marriage & children's
birth certificates
- medical
evidence (doctor and hospital reports)
Related Benefits?
- Priority
Medical Care
- Clothing
Allowance
- Grants
for Specially Adapted Housing
- Federal
Employment Preference
- Military
Exchange & Commissary Privileges
- Vocational
Rehabilitation
- Service-Disabled
Veterans Insurance
- Auto
Grant and Adaptive Equipment
- State/Local
Veterans Benefits
DISABILITY
PENSION BENEFITS
What is VA Disability Pension?
Disability Pension is a benefit paid to wartime
veterans with limited income who are no longer
able to work.
Who is Eligible?
You may be eligible if:
you were discharged from service under other
than dishonorable conditions, AND
you served 90 days or more of active duty
with at least 1 day during war, AND
you have disabilities that keep you from
working a regular, full-time job, AND
your countable family income is below a
year limit set by law.
If you are a...
| |
Your
yearly income must
be less than... |
| Veteran
with no dependents |
$
9,894 |
Veteran
with a spouse or a child
(Veterans with additional children: add
$1,653 to the limit for each child) |
$12,959 |
| Housebound
veteran with no dependents |
$12,092 |
| Housebound
veteran with one dependent |
$15,156 |
| Veteran
who needs aid and attendance with no dependents
|
$16,509 |
| Veteran
who needs aid and attendance with one
dependent |
$19,570 |
How Much Does VA Pay?
VA pays you the difference between your countable
family income and the yearly income limit
which describes your situation (see chart
above). This difference is generally paid
in 12 equal monthly payments rounded down
to the nearest dollar.
How Can I Apply?
You
can apply by filling out VA Form 21-526,
Veterans Application for Compensation or
Pension.
If available, attach copies of dependency
records (marriage & children's birth certificates)
and current medical evidence (doctor & hospital
reports).
Related Benefits?
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Medical Care
Financial
Assistance from the VA (Nursing Home/ALF)
Applying
for VA Aid and Attendance benefits (for
Non-Service Connected Pension):
Step
1: Must be a wartime veteran (need original
or certified copy of discharge papers showing
honorable service).
Step
2: Veteran must be so disabled that he requires
the medical assistance of a NH/ALF (feeding,
bathing, dressing, ambulating, administering
medications); or if left alone be an endangerment
to himself; or be bedridden to qualify for
the Aid and Attendance benefit level of the
Non-Service-Connected Pension.
A. ALF form for the NH/ALF to complete.
B. A&A form for the doctor to certify.
Step
3: Gross monthly income after paying for NH/ALF
and recurring monthly medical expenses are
less than $1630 (married) or $1375 (single).
Step
4: Assets (for vet and spouse) will not include
primary residence, its content and car.
A. Should be less then $80,000 and be used
to defray daily living expenses.
B. If over $80,000, monies must be used to
defray daily living expenses.
MEDICAID:
See Service Officer if veteran is applying
for or is on Medicaid (only for Nursing Homes).
Benefit may affect Medicaid for married veteran.
Benefit:
1.
VA will reimburse spouse/guardian up to $1630/mo.
Example:
Veteran/spouse combined income is $3500.00/mo.
1. Nursing home cost is $3500.00/mo. VA sends
spouse $1630.00
2. Nursing home cost is $3000.00/mo. VA sends
spouse $1130.00
3. Nursing home cost is $2500.00/mo. VA sends
spouse $ 630.00
2.
While on A&A and in a nursing home,
the veteran can get his prescriptions from
the
VA hospital via mail at no charge.
3.
Unusual medical expenses may be reimbursed
annually (once on pension).
Requirement:
1.
Get original discharge papers.
2. Get ALF form completed/signed by the ALF
administrator.
3. Get Aid & Attendance form completed
(if in ALF) or DOEA form 1823 (from ALF)
or
CF-MED form 3008 (from NH) and signed by
doctor.
4. Get copy of doctor’s, or hospital, treatment
records for past year.
5. Get marriage license/certificate (if divorced,
previous marriage/divorce information).
6. Assemble income data (Social Security,
pensions, IRAs, interest, dividends, annuities,
etc.)
Pinellas
County Department of Veteran Services,
1100
Cleveland St. Suite 1406
Clearwater, Florida 33755 (727) 464-8460 fax
(727) 464-8407
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