If you are a veteran who is 65 years old or older, or “permanently and totally” disabled, you may be eligible for the VA Non-service Connected Disability Pension (NSC).
The VA NSC pension is a program that provides financial support to wartime veterans with a significantly limited household income. At this time, the income threshold for a single veteran is $1,054 per month. The amount payable under this program depends on the type and amount of income the veteran and his or her family members receive from other sources. Monthly payments are made to bring a veteran’s total annual income (including other retirement and Social Security income) to a level established by Congress.
You may be eligible for the NSC pension if you were discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions, and you served 90 days or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a period of wartime, and your countable family income is below the yearly limit set by law ($1,054), and you are permanently and totally disabled, or you are age 65 or older.
See your local veteran service officer for more details.
Note: Anyone who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, generally must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty. Service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present is considered to be a period of war (Gulf War) in addition to other periods of war such as World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Rick Johnson is Rowan County veterans services officer. Fore more information, contact him at 704-216-8139 or go online to www.RowanCountyVeterans.com