VA Disability Compensation Benefits

Veterans who have a service-related injury or illness may be entitled to <a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/disability/">VA disability compensation</a>. It’s a tax-free monthly benefit.Visit <a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/">VA.gov</a> to learn:<ul><li>Which conditions qualify you for benefits</li></ul><ul><li>How the claims process works</li></ul><ul><li>Where to file your claim</li><li>How to <a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews/">appeal a decision</a> you disagree with. The process changed in February 2019.</li></ul><a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/">Survivors of veterans</a> may receive compensation benefits in certain situations.

Disabled Veteran Housing Assistance

Veterans with certain service-connected or aging-related disabilities can get housing help. You may qualify for special housing grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).<ul><li>Apply for a <a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants/">Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or a Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant</a>. You can use it to:<ul><li>Build an adapted home</li><li>Install ramps or widen doors</li><li>Make other modifications to help you live independently</li></ul></li><li>If you qualify for an SAH or SHA grant but are living temporarily in a family member’s home, you may be able to get a Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant. It can pay for necessary changes to your relative’s home.</li><li>You may be eligible for a <a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/psas/HISA2.asp">Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant</a>. You do not need to have a service-connected disability to qualify. This grant provides medically necessary improvements and structural changes to your primary home.</li></ul>

VA Pensions for Veterans and Survivors With a Low Income

Wartime veterans with a low income and their survivors may qualify for a tax-free pension. These monthly payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are based on financial need.<h3>Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension Eligibility </h3>Both pensions base eligibility on the veteran’s service time, financial need, and age or status of the veteran or survivor. <ul><li><a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/pension/eligibility/">Learn about Veterans Pension eligibility</a></li><li><a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension/">Learn about Survivors Pension eligibility</a></li></ul><h3>How to Calculate VA Pensions</h3>The amount for both pensions is the difference between the recipient’s "countable" income and the annual pension limit set by Congress.<ul><li><a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/pension/veterans-pension-rates/">Calculate Veterans Pension</a></li><li><a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension-rates/">Calculate Survivors Pension</a></li></ul><h3>How to Apply for a VA Pension</h3>See how to <a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/pension/how-to-apply/">apply for a veterans pension</a>, including online.See how to <a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension/">apply for a survivors pension</a>.<h3>Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits</h3>If you receive a VA pension, you may also qualify for <a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/">Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits</a>. You can only get one of them. Each has its own qualifications.<h3>Veterans Pension Versus Military Retirement</h3>Some people confuse <a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.usa.gov/military-pay#item-36297">military retirement benefits</a> with a VA pension. Here are two ways to tell the difference:<ul><li>Military retirement is taxable but a VA pension is tax-free. </li><li>Military retirement uses years of service (not necessarily wartime). But a VA pension is based on wartime service and financial need. </li></ul><h3>Veterans Pension Versus Disability Compensation</h3>In some cases, veterans can receive <a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://www.usa.gov/military-pay#item-211336">disability compensation</a>. It's not the same as the VA pension. Here’s a way to tell the difference:<ul><li>Disability compensation is for an illness or injury that happens because of or was made worse by your military service. It’s not income-based and war service is not required. </li><li>A VA pension is for war veterans with a low income and who may have <a href="https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211005234104/https://iris.custhelp.va.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/935/~/are-va-disability-compensation-and-va-pension-the-same%3F">a disability that is not service-related.</a> </li></ul>

Veterans Disability Benefits

Learn about types of benefits available to some veterans with disabilities. These include compensation, pensions, and grants for veterans with certain service-connected disabilities as well as pensions for some veterans 65 and older and grants for vets with age-related disabilities.

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Last Updated: April 27, 2021

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