VA Survivor Benefits: Wartime Service Requirements Explained

Eligibility for a VA pension depends on wartime service, income, net worth, age, or disability, with at least 90 days of service, one battle-time battle, and certain requirements.

(Credit: VA.gov)

VA Survivor Benefits: Knowing if you are eligible for a VA pension can be hard, especially if you served in the war and need to prove it. What you need to know if you’re not sure if your time in the military makes you qualified for a pension!

To get a VA pension, you usually need to have served during a recognized wartime period, meet certain income and net worth requirements, be 65 or older, or be permanently crippled. The time you served must have been at least 90 days, at least one of which must have been during a battle. There may be certain requirements, so looking at your service record can help you understand if you are eligible.

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Which Times During the War Are Eligible for VA Pensions?

Your service must coincide with one of the officially recognized wartime periods listed below in order to be eligible for a VA pension:

Mexican Border Period: May 9, 1916 – April 5, 1917 (for veterans who served in Mexico, along its borders, or adjacent waters)
World War I: April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1918
World War II: December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946
Korean Conflict: June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955
Vietnam War:
In Vietnam: November 1, 1955 – May 7, 1975
Outside Vietnam: August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975
Gulf War: August 2, 1990 – ongoing (until a future date set by law or presidential proclamation)
Future Wars: Any future war declared by Congress, with an end date determined by a presidential proclamation or congressional resolution.

Additional qualifying conditions

In addition to serving during a conflict, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

Military Requirements for Service:

You must have completed at least 90 days of active duty, including at least one day during a recognized wartime period, if you enlisted before to September 8, 1980.
You must have served 24 months or the entire time you were summoned to active duty, including at least one day during a war, if you enrolled after September 7, 1980.
Additional requirements, such as having at least 24 months of previous active-duty service, apply if you began serving as an officer after October 16, 1981.

Besides that, you must also meet at least one of the following requirements: you must be at least 65 years old, get SSDI or SSI, have a total and lifelong disability, or be getting long-term care in a nursing home because of a disability.

The candidates can’t have been released with honor. Your family’s yearly income and net worth—which doesn’t include the value of your home, car, or basic furniture—must also stay below the limits set by Congress.

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How to submit a VA pension application

VA Form 21P-527EZ must always be filled out and sent to the Veterans Affairs Administration via one of the following channels:

Apply Online through the official website.
Upload Your Form Online: Submit the completed PDF form via the VA’s online portal.
Mail Your Application: Send your completed form to the Pension Intake Center.
Submit in Person: Visit your local VA regional office to drop off the form.
Get Help from a Professional: Work with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative to ensure your application is in order.