VA medical benefits provide essential healthcare services to veterans, but you do not necessarily have to serve in the Military to be eligible. One of the most important factors that determines if you can access these benefits is your income. As a veteran, you need to know the income limits required to be considered for medical benefits.
What are VA Medical Benefits?
Eligible veterans can receive a wide range of VA medical benefits such as, preventive care, inpatient and outpatient services, mental health care, prescriptions, and specialty care. This provision is made possible through The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in a bid to provide comprehensive healthcare depending on the needs of veterans who qualify to receive such benefits, particularly those with service-connected disabilities, low income, or other qualifying factors.
Income limits for VA healthcare eligibility
Income limits for VA medical benefits are established by the Department of Veterans Affair (VA) to make sure that healthcare benefits are given to veterans who really need it, particularly those with limited financial resources.
These income limits are different based on several factors, such as your geographical location, number of dependents and overall financial condition.
Your gross household income and net worth will be evaluated to determine if you are eligible to receive these medical benefits. This process is called the “Means Test”.
What counts as income for VA health income limit eligibility?
The VA counts income from everyone in your family which includes you, your spouse and any dependents you have. Here are the 3 types of income counted:
- Gross income from any jobs – Counted before your taxes are subtracted.
- Net annual income from a farm, property, or business – This is counted after your taxes are subtracted.
- Some other sources of income that don’t come from a job
Gross income includes:
- Wages
- Bonuses
- Tips
- Severance pay
Money from the following sources are also counted as income:
- Retirement benefits
- Unemployment
- VA benefit compensation
- Money from the sale of a house
- Interest from investments
What expenses does the VA deducts for healthcare income limit
Here are the expenses the VA will deduct from your money to lower your income amount subject to limits:
- Non-reimbursable medical expenses which is the money you or spouse paid to cover medical bills either for yourself or family.
- Educational expenses for your own college or vocational training.
- Funeral or burial expenses for a spouse or dependent child who has died.
Non-reimbursable medical expenses include:
- Doctor or dentist appointments
- Medications
- Medicare or health insurance
- Inpatient hospital care
- Nursing home care
Educational expenses include:
- Tuition
- Books
- Fees
- Course materials
Note this is only for your education not for that of any of your dependents.
Will they VA verify my income limit for healthcare benefit
Yes. For you to receive your VA medical benefits, the VA will verify all your sources of income to make sure your income limit is accurate especially if it falls below their required limit. The VA will confirm all your information with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). Check if you qualify.
What will happen if the VA confirms your income is above the limit?
If data obtained from the SSA and IRS show that your income limit is way higher than the required limit, you will be notified via a letter. However, if you don’t respond to the letter, after 45 days you will receive a reminder but after 75 days if the VA still does not hear from you, they assume their findings are correct and will send you another letter stating their decision. Check if you qualify for VA medical benefits.
