Attorneys in Tennessee for VA Pensions and Survivor Pensions
At the offices of Douglass & Runger we respect and honor those who serve or have served in our nation’s armed services. We believe that the brave men and women who wear the uniform deserve our gratitude, as well as our commitment to getting them the benefits to which they are entitled. With this in mind, our lawyers are proud to work on behalf of veterans and survivors who are seeking pension benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
VA Veterans Pension
Various agencies and organizations offer a wide range of benefit programs for military veterans and their families. The VA alone offers several programs for veterans in different circumstances, including Disability Compensation and Unemployment Benefits. At our firm, we focus on the VA Pension benefit that is paid to wartime veterans and their surviving spouses.
The VA Veterans Pension is a need-based benefit that is available to wartime veterans who meet specific age and disability requirements. There are three basic categories of eligibility criteria:
- Service Requirements: The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty (veterans who served after September 7, 1980, have slightly different requirements) and at least one day during a period of war recognized by the VA. Wartime includes service during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War.
- Disability Requirements: To qualify for the Veterans Pension, the veteran must be at least 65 years old (or have a permanent and total disability not connected to his or her service) and either be in a nursing home or receiving Social Security Disability Benefits.
- Needs Requirements: The Veteran’s family income and net worth must be below the current standard set by Congress. For 2022, this limit is $138,489, and it includes the income of both spouses and their assets.
An experienced lawyer from our firm can help you understand your eligibility for the VA Veterans Pension. We can help also help you use asset management strategies, including the creation of trusts, to protect your assets and your VA eligibility.
VA Survivors Pension
In addition to helping veterans qualify for their own pensions, we also assist the surviving family members of wartime veterans with obtaining benefits through the VA Survivor Pension. The veteran’s eligibility requirements are the same as for the Veterans Pension, but through the Survivor Pension program, benefits are paid to the veteran’s surviving spouse or children in certain circumstances.
If your veteran spouse has passed away and left you uncertain about the future, the team at Douglass & Runger is here to help. We will work with you as you seek the benefits to which the law says you are entitled. Our lawyers will also assist you in developing a strategy for maintaining your eligibility and protecting your assets for future generations.
Reach Out To A Memphis VA Planning Lawyer
To learn more about Veterans Pensions and Survivor Pensions through the Department of Veterans Affairs, contact the offices of Douglass & Runger. Our team will work closely with you and your family to ensure you get the benefits you deserve.
