As a military veteran you may wonder if you can qualify for both a pension as well as disability benefits. Well wonder no more, the answer is yes, you can qualify for both, but, like most things, there is a caveat; it depends on the amount of your disability benefits. There are different requirements for each of the two benefit packages.
Pension benefits for veterans disabled after they have completed their service:
There are pension benefits available for veterans that became disabled after they left the service; this pension is designed to help:
- Low income veterans
- Who are severely disabled and unable to earn a living
- Who served in the military during a time of war, and
- Were not dishonorably discharged
As the documentation required to support any application for benefits from the VA is complex, it is always a good idea to consult with veteran benefits attorneys in Kentucky.
VA disability benefits:
Compensation for veterans disability is very different, this program is designed for veterans that were disabled or seriously injured while in the military. Based on a sliding scale, benefits of between 10 and 100 percent disability are paid, even veterans that are partially disabled are eligible for some benefits. There is no income requirement to avail of VA disability benefits; the only proviso is that you must have been discharged under anything but dishonorable conditions.
Receiving both disability benefits and pension:
As long as your income from private sources and the amount you get monthly for your disability are below the pension cap, you can apply for and get both a pension and keep your disability benefits. VA disability benefits are counted as income, if your pension is below the current cap, which is about $12,500 annually, you can keep all or a part of your disability benefit.