What Veterans Benefits Am I Eligible to Receive?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several valuable benefits for veterans of the United States military, including pension programs, health care, disability compensation, education assistance, and post-traumatic stress order (PTSD) support. If you or a loved one is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, you may wonder what benefits you are eligible to receive and when. Eligibility varies depending upon how each benefit was written into law, so it is important to know whether you qualify for certain benefits when considering estate planning or other long-term planning.

Disability benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rates service-related disabilities in determining disability benefits. Those veterans with a disability rating of 10% or higher may qualify for monthly disability benefits. This benefit is not available to those veterans who were discharged under dishonorable conditions. For those veterans whose disability is classified as “very severe”, additional compensation may be available.

Eligibility for veterans health care

Veterans who meet eligibility requirements may receive health care benefits at VA clinics and hospitals located around the United States. Eligibility requirements are as follows:

• If enlisting after September 7, 1980, must serve for twenty four months, unless discharged due to service-related disability or hardship
• If entering active duty after October 16, 1981, must serve for twenty four months unless discharged due to service-related disability or hardship
• Veterans serving prior to September 7, 1980 do not need to meet a minimum service requirement
• National Guard members must have active duty by federal order and complete the service called for
• Reservists must have active duty by federal order and complete the full service period

Eligibility for veterans pension

The veterans pension is a need based benefit offered to qualifying veterans who are of limited income, or who have a permanent disability and the inability to work. To qualify for pension benefits, veterans must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Veteran must serve a minimum of 90 days in active duty, with a minimum of one of those days served during wartime and be discharged for other than dishonorable reasons
• Veterans serving after September 7, 1980 must serve a minimum of twenty four months -- or the full period for which he/she was called or ordered to active duty – with a minimum of one day during wartime
• Veteran’s yearly family income must be lower than the amount set by Congress
• Veteran must be age 65 or older, or
• Veteran must be permanently or totally disabled, or
• Veteran must be a patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, or
• Veteran must be receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, or
• Veteran must be receiving Supplemental Security Income

VA nursing home care

Long-term and short-term care is provided in nursing homes for those veterans who are disabled or elderly and can no longer care for themselves. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides this care with priority given to those veterans with service-related disabilities.

Incorporate your veterans benefits into your estate plan. Call our skilled Maryland estate planning attorneys today for guidance.

Veterans benefits are an important financial asset and should be included in your overall estate plan. At Altman & Associates, our estate planning attorneys work with veterans and their families to design estate plans that incorporate veterans benefits and other tools to help you reach your long-term financial goals and provide for the future.  Learn how we can help.