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Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability for Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs strives for excellence in patient care and veteran's benefits for its constituents through high quality, prompt and seamless service to United States veterans.
Program Accomplishments
During FY 07, 325,378 veterans received pensions. Estimates for subsequent years are: FY 08, 322,066 and FY 09, 318,786.
Uses and Use Restrictions
No restrictions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Those veterans who have had 90 days or more of honorable active war-time service in the Armed Forces or if less than 90 days wartime service were released or discharged from such service because of a service-connected disability, who are permanently and totally disabled for reasons not necessarily due to service.
Income restrictions are prescribed.
Pension is not payable to those whose estates are so large that it is reasonable they use the estate for maintenance.
Veterans discharged on or after October 16, 1981, must have served for 2 years or the length to which called, if less than 2 years, or have a service-connected disability (38 U.S.C.5303(A)).
Beneficiary Eligibility
Disabled veterans.
Credentials/Documentation
Military discharge certificate showing the separation from service was under other than dishonorable conditions. The veteran must have a permanent and total disability preventing a substantially gainful occupation. His or her income and net worth must be limited as prescribed by statute.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
An application (VA Form 21-526) may be obtained from a local or regional VA Office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submitted to the Regional Office. Veterans may also apply on-line a www.va.gov.
Award Procedures
Awards are authorized at the regional office.
Deadlines
None. Entitlement is established from the date of receipt of the application, or the date the veteran became permanently and totally disabled, if disability prevents the veteran from applying for 30 days or more and if the application is received within 1 year of the date of disablement.
Authorization
38 U.S.C. 1511, 1512, 1521.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 87 percent completed in 180 days or less.
Appeals
Available. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
The veteran must promptly report any change in his or her income, net worth or dependency status.
Additionally, income verification requests are sent to the veteran periodically.
Audits
None.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0102-0-1-701.
Obigations
(Direct Payments) FY 07 $2,834,696,000; FY 08 est $2,972,505,000; and FY 09 est $3,053,154,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Payments are $11,181 annually, reduced by countable income for a veteran without dependents ($18,654 if in need of aid and attendance and $13,664 if housebound) and $14,643 for a veteran with one dependent ($22,113 if in need of aid and attendance and $17,126 if housebound) plus $1,909 for each additional dependent. Also, an additional $2,538 is added if a veteran is of the WWI or Mexican Border Period. These payments apply for the Improved Law Program.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
38 CFR 3.3. "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-79054. The stock number is 051-000-00233-4.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters Office
Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 461-9700.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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