Understanding the requirements of the VA pension and related technical terminology, such as MAPR and net worth, can be overwhelming. Even the program’s title can create a confusing association with retirement benefits, a separate program distinct from the VA pension.
Veterans Guide’s mission is to help veterans access the benefits available to them. Below, we discuss the basics of the VA pension, who it is for, and how to apply.
What Is the VA Pension?
The VA Pension is a monthly benefit for veterans with low income and limited assets. It is designed to provide financial support to eligible wartime veterans and their dependents for basic living expenses. VA pensions are also available to surviving dependents of veterans who have died.
The amount you receive depends on your household income, the number of dependents living with you, and whether you or your spouse qualifies for Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits.
VA Pension Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a VA pension, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Service during wartime
- Permanent, total disability
- Limited income and assets
If you are an eligible survivor of a deceased wartime veteran, you must have limited income and assets to qualify.
1. Service Requirements
To qualify for the VA pension, you must have served on active duty for the minimum period shown in the table below, with at least one of those days served during a recognized wartime period:
| Date Your Active Duty Began | Days of Active Duty Required |
|---|---|
| Before September 7, 1980 | At least 90 days of active duty |
| After September 7, 1980 | At least 24 months of active duty or the full period ordered |
| Officers starting after October 16, 1981 | At least 24 months |
There is no requirement to have served in combat during wartime, only that the timing of your service coincides with a recognized wartime period. If a service-connected disability separated you from your service before you could meet these minimum requirements, you may still be eligible for the pension.
What Counts as Wartime?
The VA recognizes the following wartime periods for determining VA pension eligibility:
- World War II: December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946
- Korean War: June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955
- Vietnam War: November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975, for those who served in Vietnam
- Vietnam War: August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for those who served outside Vietnam
- Gulf War: August 2, 1990, to present
2. Age or Disability Requirements
You must meet at least one of the following age or disability requirements to qualify for the VA pension:
- Age of 65 or older
- Permanent, total disability
- Long-term care facility resident due to disability
- Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income recipient
If you are a surviving spouse applying for a survivor’s pension based on a veteran’s service record, you are not required to have a disability. However, if you are a surviving child, you must be one of the following:
- Under 18
- Under 23 and attending a VA-approved school
- Unable to care for yourself because of a disability that began before you turned 18
3. Financial Requirements
Your income and net worth must be lower than the limits set by Congress. The financial requirements are the same whether you are applying as a veteran or a survivor.
Income Limits
The VA pension income limit is based on the Maximum Annual Pension Rate, or MAPR. It is the maximum annual household income your family can receive. The income limit varies based on how many people live in your home, their relationship to you, and their income. These are the 2025 amounts, which are adjusted annually for inflation.
| Veteran’s Household Composition | 2025 Income Limit |
|---|---|
| Single with no dependents | $16,965 |
| Single with one dependent, such as a spouse or child | $22,216 |
| Single with two dependents, such as a spouse and child | $25,118 |
For each additional dependent, add $2,902.
The following income for you and your dependents counts toward household income:
- Salary
- Wages
- Commissions
- Tips
- Bonuses
- Social Security benefits
- Investment income
- Retirement income
If you have out-of-pocket medical or educational expenses , the VA will deduct some of these from your annual income when calculating eligibility and benefits.
How the VA Calculates Benefits
To calculate your monthly benefit, the VA subtracts your adjusted gross income from the MAPR and then divides the result by 12.
Suppose you and your spouse have a combined monthly income of $1,500 in 2025. Your MAPR would be $22,216, so your benefit would be calculated using the following formula:
- Your annual income: $1,500 X 12 = $18,000
- Eligibility determination: $18,000 is lower than the $22,216 MAPR
- Difference between income and MAPR: $22,216 – $18,000 = $4,216
- Your monthly benefit: $4,216 / 12 = $351 per month.
If your income was $18,000 and you lived alone, the MAPR would be $16,695. An adjusted income of $18,000 would be above the limit, unless you qualify for Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits. This is only a rough estimate. Keep in mind that you may be eligible for deductions for certain expenses.
Net Worth Limits
The purpose of the net worth limit is to avoid paying benefits to veterans with significant wealth, which could be used to support the veteran’s basic needs. The net worth limit is adjusted annually for inflation. The 2025 net worth limit is $159,240. The VA calculates your net worth by using the following equation:
Annual income + net value of countable assets = Net worth
For example, if your annual household income is $18,000, and you have $50,000 in countable assets, your net worth would be calculated as follows:
$18,000 + $50,000 = $68,000
Because $68,000 is less than the $159,240 limit, you meet the net worth requirements for the VA pension. The VA counts the following assets:
- Bank accounts
- Cash
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Real estate investments
- Antiques
- Boats
- Valuables
The VA does not count your primary residence, car, or basic personal belongings as assets.
Aid and Attendance and Housebound
Aid and Attendance pays an increased benefit if you meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Inability to perform daily living activities without assistance, such as eating, dressing, and bathing
- A condition that keeps you bedridden most of the day
- Confinement to a nursing home
- Severely limited eyesight, even with correction
Housebound pays an allowance if you have a totally disabling condition that keeps you from leaving your home without assistance.
These programs increase the MAPR, which affects both the annual income limit and your monthly benefit payment amount.
| Enhancement | How Much Added to the MAPR | Monthly Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Aid and Attendance | $11,335 | About $945 |
| Housebound | $3,767 | About $314 |
Meeting the criteria for Aid and Attendance or Housebound does not guarantee approval. You must still meet the wartime service requirements and financial limits.
How to Apply for a VA Pension
To apply for a VA pension as a veteran, you must complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, the application for Veterans Pension. If applying for survivor’s benefits, you will need Form 21P-534EZ .
1. Choose Your Application Method
The VA provides multiple options for applying, so you can choose the method that works best for you:
- Apply online
- Upload your application to the VA’s QuickSubmit tool at AccessVA
- Mail the completed application to the pension management center
- Apply in person at your nearest regional VA office
- Work with an accredited attorney or a Veterans Service Organization representative
2. Gather the Required Materials
You will need the following documents when you apply:
- DD-214
- Bank statements
- Award letters
- Pay stubs
- Real estate deeds
- Medical expense receipts
- Birth certificates of dependents
3. Complete the Application Form
Fill out the application, using whatever method you chose, and be careful to answer every question. Use “N/A” or “not applicable” rather than leaving blanks.
4. Submit Your Application
Submit your application online, in person, or by mail. If you chose mail, use the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Pension Intake Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365
5. Follow Up as Needed
Watch for correspondence from the VA so that you can promptly respond to requests for additional information. It usually comes in the mail.
6. Wait for a Decision
The VA processes applications in the order they are received. This process typically takes two to four months, although the timeframe may vary. You can keep track of your application online or by contacting the VA.
Maximizing Your Pension Eligibility
You may be eligible for a VA pension if you served on active duty during wartime, have limited income, and meet disability requirements. If your condition confines you to your home or bed or causes you to need extra help, you also may qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits.
Applying for a VA pension involves a complex application process with detailed documentation requirements. At VeteransGuide.org, we can guide you through every step of the process.
Contact us today to get started.
