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Non-Service Connected Survivors Pension Benefit, aka "Non-Service Connected Death Pension"
The Non-Service Connected Survivors Pension benefit, which may also be referred to as Death Pension, is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to a low-income, un-remarried surviving spouse and/or unmarried child(ren) of a deceased Veteran with wartime service.
The following requirements apply for the survivor pension:
Discharge Requirements for the deceased Veteran remain the same, and
Service Requirements for the deceased Veteran remain the same, and
The surviving spouse is the current spouse and is unmarried, and
The surviving unmarried children of the deceased Veteran are either:
under 18 years of age,
became permanently "helpless" before 18 years of age
between the ages of 18 and 23 and is in the process of pursuing a course of study at an approved institution such as college or vocational school.
Date of cost-of-living increase: December 1, 2020
Increase factor: 1.3%
Standard Medicare deduction: Actual amount will be determined by SSA based
on individual income.
The net worth limit to qualify for a Survivors Pension as of December 1, 2020, is $130,773.
For qualified surviving spouses with at least 1 dependent:
If you have 1 dependent child and… |
Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. $): |
You don’t qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits |
12,229 |
You qualify for Housebound benefits |
14,300 |
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits |
17,815 |
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits and you’re the surviving spouse of a Veteran who served in the Spanish-American War (SAW) |
18,355 |
Notes:
For qualified surviving spouses with no dependents:
If you have no dependents and… |
Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. $): |
You don’t qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits |
9,344 |
You qualify for Housebound benefits |
11,420 |
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits |
14,934 |
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits and you’re the surviving spouse of a Veteran who served in the Spanish-American War (SAW) |
15,539 |
Notes:
For qualified surviving children:
If you’re… |
Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. $): |
A qualified surviving child |
2,382 |