Free Veteran Benefits

Thank You For Your Service.

The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime veterans who meet certain requirements.

To learn more about your eligibility, download our free guide below or contact Scott Thomas with Stewardship Matters to discuss your situation

Phone Number: 407-340-4070.

Under current law, we recognize the following wartime periods to decide eligibility for VA pension benefits:

Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917, for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters)
World War I (April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918)
World War II (December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946)
Korean conflict (June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955)
Vietnam War era (February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam.)
Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)

The 2024 maximum annual pension rates (MAPR) for Aid and Attendance are as follows:

You may be eligible for the Veterans Pension program if you meet the requirements listed below.

Both of these must be true:

You didn't receive a dishonorable discharge, and
Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth includes all personal property you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. Your net worth includes the net worth of your spouse. Find out about Veterans Pension rates

And at least one of these must be true about your service. You:

Started on active duty before September 8, 1980, and you served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime, or
Started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during wartime, or
Were an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and you hadn't previously served on active duty for at least 24 months

And at least one of these must be true. You:

Are at least 65 years old, or
Have a permanent and total disability, or
Are a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or
Are getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income

Obtain Your DD214: Receive it upon discharge or request a copy from the National Archives.
Review for Accuracy: Verify service details, discharge type, awards, and reason for separation.
Utilize Your DD214: Use it to apply for VA benefits, provide proof of service for employment, and keep it for personal records.

Obtain VA Form 21-0966 from the VA website or a VA office.
Complete the Form with your personal, contact, and service information, then indicate the benefits you intend to claim (Compensation, Pension, or Survivors Pension/DIC).
Submit the Form via mail, fax, or the VA's eBenefits portal to establish your effective date.
Prepare Your Claim: You have one year to gather and submit the necessary evidence and complete your formal claim.

Asset Testing $150,538
Allow car and house excluded generally
If receiving partial disability rating, then those dollars would be subtracted or netted.
Can not pay spouse but all others allowed.
Complex and many are denied.
About 1500 pages to VA manual and almost 800 pages are related to improved pension benefit.
Forms for nearly everything and it must be done on VA forms. Example name personal representative.
Three year look back rule when over assets
Guidance along the changes.