VA Wartime Pension FAQs
Q: What is the VA Wartime Pension?
A: This is a means-tested program that provides financial assistance to certain veterans and/or their widows who have modest savings and medical bills which outpace their income.
Q: Are there different levels of financial assistance or does everyone receive the same amount?
A: The Wartime Pension program offers three levels of financial assistance depending on the condition and needs of the veteran/widow. Beyond the base level, the VA will increase payments if the applicant qualifies for either the Housebound Level or the Aid & Attendance Level.
Q: What are the non-financial rules that an applicant must satisfy to qualify for the Wartime Pension?
A: Wartime Pension benefits can be sought so long as the veteran:
- Served at least ninety (90) days active duty
- Served at least one active-duty day during “wartime”
- Was discharged other than dishonorably
Q: What dates are considered “wartime”?
A: According to the VA (https://www.va.gov/pension/eligibility/), these are the dates of all wars since 1916:
- 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)
Q: What is the VA Wartime Pension net worth limit?
A: During the period December 1, 2020, to November 30, 2021, the VA limits net worth for the Wartime Pension program to $130,773. This amount increases annually as required by inflation. In general, the VA includes virtually everything owned besides the applicant’s primary residence, a car, and personal effects when determining net worth. Depending on medical expenses, the VA can even include some of the applicant’s annual income when calculating net worth. More about the VA’s treatment of assets when determining net worth is available here:
VA Net Worth Rules - Code of Federal Regulations
Q: What is the VA Wartime Pension income limit?
A: The VA does not have an income limit set in stone akin to the net worth rule. Rather, the VA views an applicant’s income relative to his/her medical expenses. Once the applicant can show medical expenses that exceed income, then Income for VA Purposes is reduced to $0 and the applicant will have access to the maximum annual amount available. If medical expenses do not reduce Income for VA Purposes to $0, the applicant might still qualify, but will receive less than the maximum otherwise available.
Q: What medical expenses are deductible for purposes of the VA Wartime Pension?
A: According to the VA: “Generally, medical expenses for VA needs-based benefit purposes are payments for items or services that are medically necessary; that improve a disabled individual's functioning; or that prevent, slow, or ease an individual's functional decline.” Importantly, the VA generally considers rent paid for care in an assisted living facility or nursing home to be a deductible medical expense. Similarly, in-home attendant care can be considered a deductible medical expense if a physician or other permissible medical professional signs a statement documenting that the in-home attendant care is necessary due to a physical, mental, developmental, or cognitive disorder. More about the VA’s treatment of medical expenses is available here:
VA Medical Expense Rules - Code of Federal Regulations
Q: Is there a lookback period for the VA Wartime Pension?
A: Yes. According to the VA (https://www.va.gov/pension/veterans-pension-rates/):
“When we receive a pension claim, we review the terms and conditions of any assets the Veteran may have transferred in the 3 years before filing the claim. If you transfer assets for less than fair market value during the look-back period, and those assets would have pushed your net worth above the limit for a VA pension, you may be subject to a penalty period of up to 5 years. You won’t be eligible for pension benefits during this time.
Q: How much might a veteran be awarded if approved for the Wartime Pension?
A: In 2025, the VA has established these maximum benefits available to a veteran (https://www.va.gov/pension/veterans-pension-rates/):
If you are a veteran with no dependents and… | Your MAPR amount is |
|---|---|
You don’t qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits | 16,965 |
You qualify for Housebound benefits | 20,732 |
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits | 28,300 |
If you are a veteran with 1 dependent (often spouse) and… | Your MAPR amount is |
|---|---|
You don’t qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits | 22,216 |
You qualify for Housebound benefits | 25,982 |
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits | 33,548 |
Q: How much might the widow of a veteran be awarded if approved for the Wartime Pension? A: In 2021, the VA has established these maximum benefits available to a widow (https://www.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension-rates/):
If you’re a surviving spouse with no dependents and | Your MAPR amount is: |
|---|---|
You don’t qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits | 11,380 |
You qualify for Housebound benefits | 13,908 |
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits | 18,187 |
Q: Does the VA count the receipt of financial gifts and inheritances as income?
A: In general, yes, gifts and inheritances will be counted as income. However, an important exception to this rule is that the VA excludes from the income determination any ongoing financial assistance paid by a benefactor directly to an assisted living facility or nursing home. (https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/3.272)
Q: How do I apply for the VA Wartime Pension with Aid & Attendance)?
A: You can get help with an application from any of the many Veteran Service Organizations that are out there. In Georgia, one excellent resource is the Georgia Department of Veteran Service:
https://veterans.georgia.gov/services/benefits-assistance
In addition, you can apply on your own as well. Go here to learn more:
https://www.va.gov/pension/how-to-apply/
Q: How long will my application take to process?
A: The VA website simply states: “It depends. We process claims in the order we receive them, unless a claim requires priority processing.” (https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/) In reality, it is not uncommon for processing to take at least 3-6 months. In certain circumstances, particularly if a fiduciary must be appointed to manage the funds for the veteran/widow, it can take more than a year.
Q: Are Wartime Benefits subject to income tax? A: No.
Q: Can I receive both veterans aid and attendance and Medicaid?
A: Yes. However, if an unmarried veteran qualifies for Medicaid in a nursing home, then the Wartime Pension payment will be just $90. If the veteran is married and either spouse subsequently qualifies for Medicaid in a nursing home, then an updated income/medical expense analysis will be done to determine whether ongoing eligibility exists, and if so, what the payment will be.
Q: Does the VA recognize a traditional Power of Attorney signed under state law?
A: The VA has historically preferred use of its own special forms when an applicant wishes to appoint someone to help with a VA application. The most common VA agent appointment forms are the VA 21-22 and the VA 21-22a. While this is true, an agent under a traditional POA can assist with an application so long as a signed Form 0972 is also provided. All three forms are available here:
https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-22-ARE.pdf
https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-22a-ARE.pdf
https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0972-ARE.pdf
Q: Can my financial planner help me file my claim?
A: Possibly. If you are working with someone other than an official Veteran Service Organization, then the professional helping you should be either an Attorney or Claims Agent who has met the applicable VA accreditation requirements:
