FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

38 U.S.C. 1511, 1512, 1521.

OBJECTIVES:

To assist wartime veterans in need whose non-service- connected disabilities are permanent and total preventing them from following a substantially gainful occupation.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

No restrictions.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Those veterans who have had 90 days or more of honorable active war-time service in the Armed Forces or if less than 90 days wartime service were released or discharged from such service because of a service-connected disability, who are permanently and totally disabled for reasons not necessarily due to service. Income restrictions are prescribed. Pension is not payable to those whose estates are so large that it is reasonable they use the estate for maintenance.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Disabled veterans.

Credentials/Documentation:   Military discharge certificate showing the separation from service was under other than dishonorable conditions. The veteran must have a permanent and total disability preventing a substantially gainful occupation. His or her income and net worth must be limited as prescribed by statute.

Pre-application Coordination:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   An application (VA Form 21-526) may be obtained from a local or regional VA Office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submitted to the Regional Office.

Award Procedure:   Awards are authorized at the regional office.

Deadlines:   None. Entitlement is established from the date of receipt of the application, or the date the veteran became permanently and totally disabled, if disability prevents the veteran from applying for 30 days or more and if the application is received within 1 year of the date of disablement.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Approximately 82 percent in 180 days or less.

Appeals:   Available through special board. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.

Renewals:   None.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Not applicable.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   The veteran must promptly report any change in his or her income, net worth or dependency status. Additionally, income verification requests are sent to the veteran periodically.

Audits:   None.

Records:   None.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   36-0102-0-1-701.

Obligations:   (Direct Payments) FY 01 $42,320,195,000; FY 02 est $2,359,072,000; and FY 03 est $2,390,314,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Payments are $11,830 181 annually, reduced by countable income for a veteran without dependents ($19,736 18,654 if in need of aid and attendance and $14, 457 13,664 if housebound) and $15, 493 14,643 for a veteran with one dependent ($23, 396 22,113 if in need of aid and attendance and $18, 120 17,126 if housebound) plus $2,020 1,909 for each additional dependent. Also, an additional $2,686 2,538 is added if a veteran is of the WWI or Mexican Border Period. These payments apply for the Improved Law Program.

During fiscal year 2001, 353,856 veterans received pensions. Estimates for subsequent years are: fiscal year 2002, 345,614 and fiscal year 2003, 338,599.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

38 CFR 3.3. "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-00-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-79054. The stock number is 051-000-00220-2.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.

Headquarters Office:   Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20420 Phone: 202-461-9700

Web Site Address:  
https://www.va.gov/

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.

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