Veteran’s Pension

Veteran’s Pension Tulsa is a needs-based benefits program for veterans who have limited or no income and can be a major point in increasing the quality of life for veterans. It can help by providing funds to help veterans take care of their family and provide necessary financial stability to pay for further education, home retention, pursue careers, or seek needed health care services.

VA pension benefits are tax-free, cost no fees to apply for, and VA representatives are willing to assist or a veteran can apply for it directly to VA.

 

Requirements for VA Pension

  • Must not have received a dishonorable discharge.
  • Yearly family income and net worth must not be above certain limits set by Congress. From December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, the net worth limit to be eligible for Veteran’s Pension Tulsa benefits is $155,356.

At least one of these must be true:

  • 65 years of age or older.
  • Receives Supplemental Security Income.
  • Receives Social Security Disability insurance.
  • Have a permanent total disability.
  • Patient in a nursing home for long term care because of a disability.

Must meet at least one of these Service Requirements:

  • Must have served 90 days of active-duty service before September 8, 1980, with at least one day during a wartime period.
  • Must have served at least 24 months or the full period of active duty after September 7, 1980, with at least one day during wartime.

 

Aid and Attendance

For low-income veterans who may need care with the activities of daily living (ADLs), the Aid and Attendance pension may be an indispensable resource. Aid and Attendance is explicitly designed to provide assistance for veterans in paying for the cost of assistance with ADLs such as bathing, meal preparation, transportation, medication reminders, and dressing.

If you are a Veteran, it is encouraged to see if you are eligible for Aid and Attendance. According to the VA’s research, the reason many veterans who would otherwise be eligible are not enrolled in the benefits, is because they are not aware that it exists. A VA focus group found that it took roughly 11 years on average for individuals to apply for Veteran’s Pension Tulsa.

 

Requirements for VA Aid and Attendance

At least one of these must be true:

  • The individual applying requires another person to help preform daily activities.
  • The individual is primarily bedridden due to illness.
  • The individual is a patient in a nursing home because of a disability.
  • Heavily limited eyesight, even with glasses or contact lenses.

 

Housebound Benefits

Housebound benefits are a higher income pension based on a greater need by the veteran. A veteran may be eligible for this benefit if they spend most of their time in their home due to a permanent disability that makes it unable for the individual to leave their home or place of residence without assistance.

Housebound pensions have a higher income limit than regular pension, so even if the veteran is not eligible for standard pension, they may be able to receive Housebound Pension. 

It is important to note that an individual cannot receive both Housebound benefits and Aid and Attendance benefits.

 

Requirements for Housebound Benefits

  • A primary care provider must provide evidence of the individual’s condition.

Requirements for Housebound benefits only involve proof of the individual’s status, however, through evaluation from a physician of the veteran’s level of disability, a veteran can obtain further benefits. After being examined by a physician, if the individual is determined to have a disability rating of “Homebound” certain expenses will be covered or largely deducted such as services for:

  • Home Care
  • Assisted Living
  • Additional Non-Medical Expenses

Alongside the above, if the individual has a housebound rating, a VA can deduct the costs of a non-licensed in-home attendant if the attendant provides assistance with at least two activities of daily living. 

The VA considers the following as ADLs: 

  • Getting dressed
  • Showering or bathing
  • Cooking and feeding themselves
  • Going to the restroom
  • Transferring from the bed to a chair or wheelchair
  • Mobility and transportation
  • Grooming