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8.5. Countable Income for Non-Service Connected Pension
Countable Income for Non-Service Connected Pension
To determine the income limit requirement for eligibility, the VA will require the Veteran to report all "countable income" for the Veteran's household.
Countable income" refers to all household income:
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the Veteran's,
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Veteran's spouse (if living with the Veteran), and
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Dependents.
The Veteran's "countable income" must be below the maximum annual pension rate, MAPR, and the Veteran's "net worth" must not provide adequate maintenance of the Veteran.
The need for pension is determined by "countable income" minus allowable deductions. The calculated reduced income is then subtracted from MAPR limit and the result is the annualized pension divided by 12 months.
As an example:
- The MAPR for a Veteran who needs aid and attendance with no dependents is $21,531 income per year.
- The Veteran's countable income is $32,000 per year.
- After subtracting the allowable deductions, the countable income of the Veteran is reduced to $15,000/year.
- The MAPR of $21,531 minus $15,000 of countable income equals $6,531 per year of VA Pension.
- The $6,531 yearly VA Pension is divided by 12 months to determine the monthly amount.
- The Veteran receives a VA pension for $544.25 monthly for this example.