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Veteran’s Improved Pension Needs Allowance

The next needs allowance to consider, if neither of the prior needs allowance criteria are met, is the veteran’s improved pension needs allowance.  This is a $90 deduction allowed when a client receives benefits from the Veteran’s Improved Pension Program. 

FYI: As of January 2013, the Clothing and Personal Needs Allowance exceeds the Veteran’s Improved Pension Needs Allowance. Allow the greater of the two allowances, which is the Clothing and Personal Needs Allowance found in Appendix F of the EPM.

There are three types of VA Improved Pension cash benefits available when a veteran, surviving spouse or surviving child meets certain criteria.  Refer clients to the VA if the client appears to be eligible for any of the following VA benefits:

• Basic VA Pension.
• Aid and Attendance.
• Housebound Benefit.

Note:  Some people may have their Improved Pension benefits reduced to $90 upon admission to a VA-certified LTCF. This is a determination made by the VA. Always budget the actual amount of VA benefits received in the LTC income calculation.

Example: 

Will Emily or Andreas be able to use this needs allowance?

Neither Emily nor Andreas may use this needs allowance.

• Andreas cannot use this needs allowance for two reasons - he qualifies to use the home maintenance needs allowance, and he does not receive VA income.

• Emily cannot use this needs allowance because she is not receiving income from the VA.

In both cases we would need to ask about possible veteran status, or surviving spouse status of a veteran. A referral to the VA to determine whether VA benefits are available would need to be made if either Andreas or Emily was potentially eligible for VA income. Notice on Emily’s DHS-3531, in the worker notes section, that Emily was referred to the VA at the time of the interview with her authorized representative. She must cooperate with the referral to maintain her MA-LTC eligibility.

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LTC Income Calculation - Needs Allowance

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