Quick Screening Guide

It has been estimated that half of all American veterans are not collecting the benefits that they earned, simply because they have not applied or their application is not completed. Here's a quick "screen" that can help you pick out some benefits for which you or a family member might qualify; remember that the only way to know for sure is to apply; this page is for general guidance only.

I. General Screen for Veteran Eligibility

• Are you a veteran or the dependent spouse, child, adult dependent child, or dependent parent of a veteran?
• If yes, does the veteran receive any cash benefits or health care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)?
• If yes, advise the veteran to contact VA to inquire if additional benefits may be available.
• If no, does the veteran believe that the veteran has a disability that was incurred or aggravated by active military service?
• If yes, refer the veteran to apply for service-connected compensation and VA health care.

II. Screen for Pension Eligibility

• Do you have a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable?
• Did you serve during a period of war, such as World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or after August 2, 1990?
• Not counting your home, normal personal effects such as furnishings, and motor vehicles used for normal transportation, do you have resources less than $80,000 ?
• Is your income less than (a certain amount, which changes; check with the VA) after subtracting out-of-pocket medical expenses (be sure to count up these expenses since they make a big difference)?
• Are you (either one or both):
• 65 or older
• AND/OR permanently and totally disabled?
• If yes to all of these questions, contact the VA for possible pension eligibility.

III. Screen for Surviving Spouse Eligibility

• Are you the surviving spouse of a veteran?
• If yes, were you married at the time of veteran’s death?
• If no, stop. No VA benefits are payable.
• If yes, have you remarried since the veteran’s death?
• If no, screen for the veteran’s wartime service, character of discharge, and resources as outlined above and substitute current death pension income amounts for the family’s size. Note that the surviving spouse may be eligible for a death pension even if not aged or disabled.
• Refer a survivor who appears to meet the criteria to VA to apply for a death pension.

IV. Screen for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Eligibility

• Did the veteran die of a service-connected disability or a disability that VA recognizes as presumptively serviceconnected due to service during the Vietnam or Gulf war or due to prisoner-of-war status?
• Is the survivor currently remarried?
• If no, refer the survivor to VA to apply for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
• If yes, were you remarried after December 31, 2003, and after you were at least 57?
• If yes, refer the survivor to VA to apply for DIC benefits.
• If no, DIC benefits are not available while the survivor is married.

The above is from "What Difference Does It Make if  the Client Is a Veteran? None if You  Don’t Ask About Veteran Status".
When screening, don't stop with the above; always check for eligibility with state and local programs as well. A little bit of time can have a huge impact.