Quick Start:
1. Read everything you can about the Improved Pension. This website is a great start. Understand the basic qualifiers for the benefit — must be honorably discharged, must have served a minimum of 90 days, one of which was during a time of war, must be over 65 or disabled, must meet certain economic criteria (see the Eligibility section of this site.) You do not have to have served in combat. You do not need to be career military. Your disability does not have to be related to military service. Know that the VA considers everyone over 65 to be "permanently and totally disabled."
2. Secure a 21-526 for a veteran application or a 21-534 for a surviving spouse application.
3. Secure ALL the necessary documents BEFORE you submit the package to the VA. These documents include: Discharge papers (certified copy), death certificate (for surviving spouse application), marriage certificate (for married veteran application — not marriage license), physician's form (if you are applying for the housebound or Aid & Attendance level of the benefit), Form 0779 — if you live in an assisted care facility or nursing home, or a letter from individuals who are providing home health care services. See the button at right marked Next Step for more details.
4. Download Form 21-4138 — veteran or 21-4138 — surviving spouse, Statement in Support of Claim. Fill in all the blanks that are fillable (you will not have a VA file number yet, unless you already have a claim with the VA.) Sign and send to the regional VA office. To find your VA regional office go to the Forms button at right and check mid-way down the page for the "VA Regional Offices list."
Mail this single sheet to your regional office. Send it "Return Receipt Requested." This form starts the clock on your claim. Be advised: once you send it, you will get mail from the VA saying they do not have enough information to process your claim. Do not respond. Your response will be the submission of the completed package.
5. Download the appropriate Step by Step Guide from the website (you can do so by clicking either the Next Step button at right or the Forms button. If necessary, contact your local Veterans Services Officer for assistance filling out the paperwork, and with questions you may have along the way.) You can find a VSO locally by clicking on the following link: http://nacvso.org/?page_id=14 — or by calling your local VFW, American Legion or other authorized veterans organization.
6. Make sure you have a complete list of ALL sources of income (social security, pensions, dividends, rental property income, etc.) and ALL items of net worth (CDs, stocks, mutual funds, 401ks, investment property, etc.) Do not count your primary residence, primary vehicle and personal belongings as part of your net worth. Write this information under the appropriate section of the VA form.
7. Make a complete list of all unreimbursed, recurring health care expenses — include medicare premiums, health insurance premiums, assisted living fees, home health care provider fees, regular prescriptions, oxygen, etc. Write this information under the appropriate section of the VA form.
8. Do not add a lot of unrequested paperwork to the package. The VA will ask for receipts, additional forms, etc., if needed. Do not add diagnoses, medical reports, hospital admissions information, etc. Again — the VA will request it if it is needed. Do add the physician's form if you are applying for the housebound or Aid & Attendance benefit.
9. Be advised that you do not have to be bedridden or completely disabled to apply for the housebound or Aid & Attendance benefits. You simply must have a condition (up to and including advanced age) that requires assistance from other individuals.
10. After making copies of everything, put the package in a neat, paperclipped stack and mail it — return receipt requested — to the same regional office where you mailed the 21-4138 form. Download this checklist to make sure you have included everything you need. Also — if you are the child or a parent who is applying for the benefit, the VA will not speak directly to you unless you have also included form 21-22a. Fill it out and indicate in box 7B that you are Individual Providing Representation Under Section 14.630.
Now you wait. You will receive much paperwork from the VA. It could come in a matter of weeks — or it could take months and months. It all depends on the efficiency of your particular regional office. Be aware that you will receive a form called a VCAA Form that you must sign and return to the VA, with the section checked that indicates you have no additional information to provide. You may also receive a request for documents you have already submitted. Make a copy of the "missing" document and send it with a note saying it was included in the original package..."but here's a new copy." Standard processing time for Improved Pension applications is from 3-6 months. Some are approved in about 8 weeks — others can take a year or more. Do not keep calling the VA to inquire about status. The most/best you can do is to prepare a thorough and complete package.
