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8.3. Eligibility for Non-Service Connected Pension

Eligibility for Non-Service Connected Pension

The improved pension program is for Veterans who served during wartime and meet specific requirements. It is for the requirement reason that TV advertisements refer to this pension as a wartime pension. The following program qualifying requirements must apply for the Veteran to receive this pension:

The Veteran must have an have a discharge "under other than dishonorable conditions" also known as a "honorable discharge",

  1. actively served a minimum of one day during wartime,

  2. meet specific service time requirements,

    1. 90 days or more of active duty

    2. Veterans with active duty enlistment after September 7, 1980 must serve at least 24 months of active duty or complete the full period for which they were called to active duty.

  3. be of limited income (determined by the Maximum Annual Pension Rate or MARP) and net-worth, which are discussed later in this article and

  4. the Veteran must have one or more of the following :

    1. age 65 or older, or

    2. have a permanent and total non-service connected disability that will continue throughout the Veteran's lifetime and prevents the Veteran from sustaining employment, or

    3. be a reside in a nursing home for long-term care , or

    4. be a recipient of Social Security disability benefits.

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