Non Service Connected Pension was discussed earlier. A veteran is eligible if they meet certain criteria. This includes:
· 90 days military service (or more), beginning or ending during wartime.
· Permanently and totally disabled from work by an NSC medical condition not caused by willful misconduct,
· Income under set limits and an estate that cannot provide adequate maintenance.
And
· Twenty-four months of continuous services, if the service time is after 1980. Or discharge under other than dishonorable conditions (see earlier reference).
There is a counterpart of NSC Pension for survivors. It is often referred to as Death Pension or Non Service Connected Death Pension.
Eligibility is based on income; period of veteran's service time, nature of discharge and the criteria for marriage must be met. With this pension there is also increased payment for increased incapacitation, though the individual (spouse) does not need to be disabled to receive the basic pension entitlement. There are also benefits for children under the age of 18 (23 if in approved schooling) and physically or mentally incapacitated children if the deficits occurred before the age of 18.
Special Notes:
In initially filing for benefit it is important to file within 45 days of death. This allows back pay to the date of death. Insurance received in this time frame counts as income, but medical costs count towards spending down income. Check with a VBC or Service Officer, each case has unique potential benefits and drawbacks.
Remarriage ends benefits, but a spouse can apply again if second marriage (and subsequent veteran death) is to another veteran fitting the eligibility criteria stated above (and spouse must meet the financial eligibility also).
A 2004 change to the law excludes insurance payments at death as income. When filing it is best to check with RO.
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