From Pat Nugent
Learn how VA pension took pressure off a wartime Veteran’s family
Survivors Pension
Print, fill out, and mail or bring VA Form 21-534EZ to your nearest VA regional office.
Form: NOTICE TO SURVIVOR OF EVIDENCE NECESSARY TO SUBSTANTIATE A CLAIM FOR DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION, DEATH PENSION, AND/OR ACCRUED BENEFITS
https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-534EZ-ARE.pdf
Mary, the daughter of a Navy Veteran, filed an application for survivors pension for her mother after her father passed away. With help from VA survivors pension benefits, Mary doesn’t have to worry as much about her mother’s resources.
Pension is a needs-based benefit for eligible wartime Veterans with limited or no income who are age 65 or older, or who have a permanent and non-service-connected disability. As in Mary’s case, surviving spouses of deceased wartime Veterans, with qualifying service, may also qualify as well as dependent children.
In addition to basic pension, Mary’s mother also qualified for an increased monthly pension, which helps those who require the aid of another person in performing personal functions required in everyday living.
Mary’s mother used all of her savings and the children were helping out quite a bit before the pension benefit money started coming in. “This is really helpful for us as well. It takes a lot of financial pressure off the entire family,” says Mary.
Visit Explore.VA.gov or click the button below to find out if you or a loved one may qualify for VA pension benefits.