Veterans May Be Entitled to VA Benefits They Didn’t Know They Had

Thousands of veterans in the state of Missouri are entitled to VA benefits and they don’t know it.

The VFW is trying to locate all wartime veterans who are 65 years of age or older and who are living on low incomes. Wartime is defined as one day or more of service during a wartime period. Individuals did not need to have served overseas to qualify.

If your income from all sources is less than the income limitations for the VA pension program, you may be entitled to receive a monthly check, according to Larry Warren, one of three local Veterans Information Service Officers.

Under the pension program, there are three levels of benefits: 1. The Basic Pension; 2. The Household Benefit; and 3. Those who are in need of Aid and Attendance of another person.

If you are a single veteran and your income from all sources is less than $10,929 a year or $910 a month, you are entitled to a pension check from the VA, Warren said. From now until February or March 2007, you would be considered for the benefits at the Housebound Rate which is $13,356 a year or $1,113 a month.

If you are a married veteran and your family income from all sources is less than $14,313 a year or $1,192 a month, you are entitled to a pension check from the VA. From now until February or March 2007, you would be considered for benefits at the Housebound Rate which is $16,740 a year or $1,395 a month…     

There is a court case that was approved for these additional benefits but the VA is working on legislation to close the loophole on increasing veterans benefits to the Housebound Rate, according to Warren. Therefore, it is important that you file your claim right away and before this happens, he said.