Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability for Veterans
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have income and net worth within certain limits.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Veteran (including dependents)
A Veteran who meets the wartime service requirements is potentially eligible if he/she is: permanently and totally disabled for reasons not necessarily due to service, age 65 or older, or is presumed to be totally and permanently disabled for pension purposes because: he/she is a patient in a nursing home for long-term care due to a disability, or being disabled, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security (SS) for purposes of any benefits administered by the Commissioner, such as SS disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income. Income restrictions are prescribed in 38 U.S.C. § 1521. Pension is not payable to those whose estates are so large that it is reasonable they use the estate for maintenance. A Veteran meets wartime service requirements if he/she served:
• a total of 90 days or more during one or more periods of war;
• 90 or more consecutive days that began or ended during a period of war; or
• for any length of time during a period of war if he/she was discharged or released for a service-connected disability. Veterans entering service after September 7, 1980, must also meet the minimum active-duty requirement of 24 months of continuous service or the full period to which the Veteran was called to active duty. (38 U.S.C. § 5303(A)).
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Awards are authorized at the regional office.
Initial claims for Veteran’s Pension had an average days to complete (ADC) of 140.77 days in FY25. This is an improvement of 5.55 days compared to FY24 where ADC was 146.32.
Program details & compliance
Description
The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have income and net worth within certain limits.
Mission Categories
Primary: Veterans Services
Other categories:
Disabled Veterans ServicesSocial Security and Insurance
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
No restrictions.
Required Documentation
Military discharge certificate showing active wartime service and a separation reason under other than dishonorable conditions. The Veteran must have a permanent and total disability preventing a substantially gainful occupation, be age 65 or older, or presumed to be totally and permanently disabled for pension purposes because he/she is a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of disability, or disabled, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security (SS) for purposes of any benefits administered by the Commissioner, such as SS disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income. His or her income and net worth must be limited as prescribed by 38 U.S.C. §§ 1521 and 1522. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR § 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.
This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR § 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.