Disabled Veterans Benefits & Wages
Disabled veterans can receive disability benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, which is usually simply referred to as the VA. The type of disabled veterans benefits that a veteran can receive are based upon the nature of his disability and how and when it occurred. There are two types of disabled veteran benefits, and they are very different.
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Disability Compensation
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The VA offers disability compensation to veterans whose disabilities were caused by their military service. Veterans who had a disability before they entered military service and that disability was made worse due to service are also eligible for VA disability compensation. Disability compensation is not affected by any other income that you may receive. Your monthly benefits payment is determined by a disability rating that the VA assigns you when your claim is reviewed.
Disability Pension
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The VA offers disability pension to veterans whose disabilities were not necessarily caused by their military service but who have a disability and a low household income. Veterans who have service-connected disabilities sometimes select to receive a disability pension instead of compensation if the amount they are offered in pension is more than that they are offered in compensation. However, all income you receive, including your spouse's income, decreases the amount you receive in disability pension, so your wages directly affect it.
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Dependents' Benefits
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Disabled veterans receive more on their disability compensation or pensions if they have dependents. In late 2010, disabled veterans received approximately an extra $200 a month for each dependent, whether it be a spouse, child or other dependent that lives with the disabled veteran, such as a dependent parent. In addition, disabled veteran's children were eligible to receive about $200 a month between the ages of 18 and 24 as long as they were enrolled full-time in a post-secondary education program. Some disabled veterans' dependents qualify for VA medical insurance.
How to Apply
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Before you can receive disabled veterans' benefits, you must first complete VA form 21-526, the Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or pension. If you are applying for compensation only, fill out just the general information, compensation and dependency sections. If you are applying for pension only, fill out just the general information, dependency and pension sections. Or you may fill out all sections, then the VA will let you select which you would like to receive if you are awarded both. Be prepared to submit documentation to support each section, such as proof of your disabilities, proof of your military service, proof of your dependents and so on.
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