2018 Veterans Pension and Disability Rates

Posted in Uncategorized on January 18, 2018

Did you know that as a veteran of wartime service, you may be eligible for a VA Pension without being disabled? If you are wartime veteran with a limited income and are not able to work, you may qualify for the Veterans Disability Pension or the Veterans Pension of Veterans 65 or older.2018 Veterans Pension and Disability Rates

To be eligible for the Veteran’s Pensions you must have been discharged from the military under other than dishonorable conditions and you must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one of the days having been during a period of wartime. Additionally, veterans must be permanently and totally disabled, be over the age of 65, and have a countable family income below an annual limit set by Congress.

2018 Veterans Pension Rates

These annual limits for 2018 are as follows:

  • $13,166 for a veteran with no dependents
  • $17, 241 for a veteran with a spouse or a child
  • $16,089 for a veteran who is housebound with no dependents
  • $20,166 for a housebound veteran with one dependent
  • $21,962 for a veteran who needs aid and attendance with no dependents
  • $26,036 for a veteran who needs aid and attendance and has one dependent
  • $17,241 for two veterans married to each other
  • $2,250 for an additional child in any of the above categories

To apply for the Veterans Pension, you must fill out VA Form 21-527EZ, Veteran’s Application for Pension.

2018 Veterans Disability Rates

Additionally, veterans who were injured or became ill while serving in the military may qualify for VA disability compensation. These rates change based on cost of living adjustments (COLA) determined by the Social Security Administration. This year, the disability compensation increase was the largest increase since 2012, increasing by 2%.

The amount paid depends on how many dependents the veteran has and how disabled they are determined to be by the VA. Because the VA rates the disability level of each veteran on a case by case basis, disability ratings can be difficult to calculate on your own. Factors affecting disability payment depend on the disability rate of each veteran and how many dependents he or she has. For example, a spouse who is 30% disabled with no dependents will receive less money than a veteran who has dependents and claims a higher percentage of disability.

The 2018 Veterans Disability Rates are as follows:

VA Disability Rating: 10 – 20% (No Dependents) 

Percentage Rate
10% $136.24
20% $269.30


VA Disability Rating: 30 – 60% Without Children

Dependent Status 30% 40% 50% 60%
Veteran Alone $417.15 $600.90 $855.41 $1,083.52
Veteran with Spouse Only $466.15 $666.90 $937.41 $1,182.52
Veteran with Spouse & One Parent $505.15 $719.90 $1,003.41 $1,261.52
Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents $544.15 $772.90 $1,069.41 $1,340.52
Veteran with One Parent $456.15 $653.90 $921.41 $1,162.52
Veteran with Two Parents $495.15 $706.90 $987.41 $1,241.52
Additional for A/A spouse $46.00 $61.00* $76.00 $91.00


VA Disability Rating: 70 – 100% Without Children

Dependent Status 70% 80% 90% 100%
Veteran Alone $1,365.48 $1,587.25 $1,783.68 $2,973.86
Veteran with Spouse Only $1,481.48 $1,719.25 $1,932.68 $3,139.67
Veteran with Spouse & One Parent $1,574.48 $1,825.25 $2,051.68 $3,272.73
Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents $1,667.48 $1,931.25 $2,170.68 $3,405.79
Veteran with One Parent $1,458.48 $1,693.25 $1,902.68 $3,106.92
Veteran with Two Parents $1,551.48 $1,799.25 $2,021.68 $3,239.98
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) $106.00 $122.00 $137.00 $152.06


VA Disability Rating: 30 – 60% With Children

Dependent Status 30% 40% 50% 60%
Veteran with Spouse & Child $503.15 $714.90 $998.41 $1,255.52
Veteran with Child Only $450.15 $644.90 $910.41 $1,149.52
Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child $542.15 $767.90 $1,064.41 $1,334.52
Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child $581.15 $820.90 $1,130.41 $1,413.52
Veteran with One Parent and Child $489.15 $697.90 $976.41 $1,228.52
Veteran with Two Parents and Child $528.15 $750.90 $1,042.41 $1,307.52
Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 $24.00 $32.00 $41.00 $49.00
Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) $79.00 $106.00 $133.00 $159.00
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) $46.00 $61.00 $76.00 $91.00


VA Disability Rating: 70 – 100% With Children

Dependent Status 70% 80% 90% 100%
Veteran with Spouse & Child $1,566.48 $1,816.25 $2041.68 $3,261.10
Veteran with Child Only $1,442.48 $1,675.25 $1,882.68 $3,084.75
Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child $1,659.48 $1,922.25 $2,160.68 $3,394.16
Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child $1,752.48 $2,028.25 $2,279.68 $3,527.22
Veteran with One Parent and Child $1,535.48 $1,781.25 $2,001.68 $3,217.81
Veteran with Two Parents and Child $1,628.48 $1,887.25 $2,120.68 $3,350.87
Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 $57.00 $65.00 $74.00 $82.38
Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) $186.00 $212.00 $239.00 $266.13
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) $106.00 $122.00 $137.00 $152.06

To apply for VA compensation benefits, you will need to fill out VA Form 21-526, Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension. It’s also important to note that disability ratings are not permanent and can be reevaluated at any time. Additionally, a change in your family status can also change your VA disability payment.

Written by Alissa Sauer

One Response to “2018 Veterans Pension and Disability Rates”

  1. Hello. I am a disabled Desert Storm vet with 60% disability. I have no kids and I am not married. I have no other income. How much money can I get with the wartime pension?

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