Veterans
America’s veterans deserve the best health care and compensation system we can provide.”
(Anthony Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, News Release, February 3, 2003).
Most people are unaware of the benefits available to our senior citizens who need health care assistance. While there are several different commonly known types of VA benefits available to veterans or widow(er)s of veterans, incorporating VA benefits planning into a traditional elder law or estate planning practice is essential.
Basic Eligibility Criteria
All of the following criteria must be met before a veteran or widow(er) of a veteran can receive Improved Pension benefits:
The veteran must have served at least 90 days of consecutive active duty service, one day of which must have been during a war-time period;
In general, wartime is: World War I, World War II - Dec. 7, 1941 - Dec. 31, 1946, Korean War - June 27, 1950 - Jan. 31, 1955, Vietnam War - Aug. 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975, Gulf War - August 2, 1990 through date to be set by law by Presidential Proclamation
- The veteran must have received a discharge other than dishonorable;
- The claimant must have limited income and assets available;
- The claimant must have a permanent and total disability at the time of application;
- The disability was caused without willful misconduct of the claimant
- The veteran or widow signs an application and provides the application to the Veteran’s Administration
Important Organizations
New York Regional Office, Department of Veterans Affairs
Serves the counties of Albany, Bronx, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Kings, Montgomery, Nassau, New York, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland,
Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan,
Ulster, Warren, Washington, and Westchester.
U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS)
Provide veterans with the resources and services to succeed in the work force by maximizing their employment opportunities, protecting their employment rights and meeting labor-market demands with qualified veterans
Veterans’ Services
If you need job placement services, employment counseling and testing services, job search information, or civil service information, visit your closest Department of Labor office.
SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development
Provides assistance to veterans seeking to start and develop small businesses
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Provides health care, financial assistance and burial benefits to veterans and their dependents