Popular Name: Pension
Objectives: To assist wartime veterans in need whose non-service-connected disabilities are permanent and total preventing them from following a substantially gainful occupation.
64.104 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.
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.
64.104 APPLICATION & AWARD PROCESS:
Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: 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.
Award Procedure: 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.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: About 83% in 180 days or less.
Appeals: Available through special board. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Renewals: None.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals: Not applicable.
Examples of Funded Projects: Not applicable.
Range & Average of Financial Assistance: Payments are $8,246 annually, reduced by countable income for a veteran without dependents ($13,190 if in need of aid and attendance and $10,080 if housebound) and $10,801 for a veteran with one dependent ($15,744 if in need of aid and attendance and $12,634 if housebound) plus $1,404 for each additional dependent. Also, an additional $1,867 is added if a veteran is of the WWI or Mexican Border Period. These payments apply for the Improved Law Program.
64.104 RELATED PROGRAMS:
64.104 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
During fiscal year 1995, 435,279
veterans received pensions. Estimates for subsequent years are: fiscal
year 1996, 421,800; and fiscal year 1997, 409,900.
64.104 FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:
Federal Agency:
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS
Type of Assistance:
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use.
Obligations:
(Direct Payments) FY 95 $2,184,682,000; FY 96 est
$2,177,600,000; and FY 97 est $2,171,700,000.
Budget Account Number:
36-0154-0-1-701.
Authorization:
38 U.S.C. 1511, 1512, 1521.
Regulations, Guidelines, & Literature:
38 CFR 3.3. "Federal
Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-96-1, $3.25,
available from Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402.
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. Phone: (202) 273-7218.
64.104 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula & Matching Requirements:
Not applicable.
Length & Time Phasing of Assistance:
Not applicable.
Uses & Use Restrictions:
No restrictions.
64.104 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.
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