VA Pension Eligibility Requirements (2026)
Updated September 2026 · Checked against VA.gov and 38 CFR · Sources below
On this page
- What Veterans Pension is and how it differs from disability compensation
- Service and wartime-period requirements
- Age, disability and other qualifying routes
- 2026 net worth limit and how VA calculates it
- 2026 MAPR income limits (base, Housebound, Aid and Attendance)
- How VA calculates your monthly payment (worked example)
- How to apply: VA Form 21P-527EZ step by step
- Survivors Pension for spouses and children
- What your state adds
- Common questions
What Veterans Pension is and how it differs from disability compensation
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
Service and wartime-period requirements
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
Age, disability and other qualifying routes
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
2026 net worth limit and how VA calculates it
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
2026 MAPR income limits (base, Housebound, Aid and Attendance)
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
How VA calculates your monthly payment (worked example)
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
How to apply: VA Form 21P-527EZ step by step
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
Survivors Pension for spouses and children
This section is being written. See the short answer above and the sources below for what is already confirmed.
What your state adds
Common questions
- Who qualifies for VA pension?
- Wartime veterans with at least 90 days of active duty (24 months if service began after Sept 7, 1980), a non-dishonorable discharge, who are 65+ or permanently and totally disabled, and whose net worth is below $163,699.
- How much is VA pension in 2026?
- The 2026 MAPR is $17,441 a year for a veteran with no dependents and $22,839 with one dependent; VA pays the difference between your countable income and the MAPR, so the maximum is about $1,453 a month for a single veteran.
- Can I receive both VA pension and disability compensation?
- No. VA pays whichever benefit is higher, not both. Veterans with low ratings and low income sometimes receive more from pension than from compensation.
- Does Social Security count as income for VA pension?
- Yes. Social Security, retirement pay, wages and most other income are countable, but unreimbursed medical expenses above 5% of MAPR ($872 for a single veteran) are deducted.
- What form do I use to apply for VA pension?
- File VA Form 21P-527EZ online at va.gov, by mail to the Pension Management Center, or through a VSO. Add VA Form 21-2680 if you are claiming Aid and Attendance or Housebound.
Sources
- For Dec 1, 2025 to Nov 30, 2026 the net worth limit for Veterans Pension is $163,699.
- 2026 MAPR: $17,441 (veteran, no dependents), $22,839 (one dependent), $29,093 (no dependents with Aid and Attendance).
- Only medical expenses above 5% of your MAPR are deductible from countable income ($872 for a single veteran, $1,141 with one dependent).
- Veterans who entered service after September 7, 1980 generally need 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period for which they were called.
- VA reviews asset transfers made within the 36-month look-back period before the claim and may impose a penalty period of up to 5 years (38 CFR 3.276).
Related guides
Disability, Claims & Pension
Every guide in this section
The full Disability, Claims & Pension guide
Start-to-finish overview
VA Pension Asset and Income Limits for 2026
Disability, Claims & Pension
VA Aid and Attendance Benefits: 2026 Rates, Eligibility and How to Apply
Disability, Claims & Pension
VA Survivors Pension: 2026 Rates, Net Worth Limit and How to Qualify
Family, Survivors & Caregivers
VA Disability Compensation Guide: Rates, Eligibility and How to Apply
Disability, Claims & Pension
How to File Your First VA Disability Claim
Disability, Claims & Pension
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice, and Veterans Alliance is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Rules and rates change; the linked VA.gov pages are always the authoritative source.