Veterans may qualify for a VA Pension or VA Compensation, so applying for benefits should be an essential part of your estate plan. Uniquely You can help you understand the application and eligibility process and determine the best choice of benefits for yourself, your caretakers, and surviving family members.
Veterans Compensation
This tax-free financial payment is made to Veterans with disabilities from active military service, including disease or injury during active military service. It includes:
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) to Veteran survivors
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for the Veteran, their spouses, and parents
These funds help veterans who can’t support themselves due to disabilities. Spouses of Veterans can also receive benefits for caretaking in their household. Some additional benefits include housing and insurance. Qualification is based on the level of disability, not income.
Veterans Pension
VA Pension benefits provide financial support to wartime veterans and their survivors. They may be eligible if they are:
- At least 65 years old, or
- Suffered a permanent and total disability, or
- Living in a nursing home for long-term care because of disability, or
- Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
You must not have been dishonorably discharged, and your annual family income must meet mandated limits.
Your service must meet certain criteria:
- Active duty started before September 8, 1980, serving at least 90 days on active duty, with at least one day during wartime, or
- Active duty as an enlisted person started after September 7, 1980, serving at least 24 months or the entire period ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least one day during wartime, or
- Served as an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, without previously serving on active duty for at least 24 months.
Contact us to apply and qualify for Veterans’ benefits.
Dawn DiManna, Esq., has over 15 years of legal experience helping clients in New Hampshire understand estate planning, elder law, asset protection, long-term care, proactive and crisis Medicaid planning, and Veterans planning. She began Uniquely You to help families discover ways to keep loved ones out of court and conflict and avoid financial collapse after a death or disability.
