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MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 200A – Income: ABD Categories Page |50 Effective Month: July 2025 • Divorced and re-married spouses of veterans do not qualify for any VA benefits as a former spouse of a veteran. Do not refer these individuals to apply for any benefits on the veteran’s record. • If the ineligible (living) spouse is the veteran, do not refer the ineligible spouse to apply for any type of VA benefit. • VA Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits –Eligible individuals should be advised to apply for A&A or Housebound benefits, if appropriate. DOM-312, Notice of Potential Eligibility for VA Benefits, is used to refer the client to file and follow through with an application. Set appropriate ticklers to follow up on the decision to approve or deny benefits. 200A.07.09A VA PENSION PAYMENTS VA Pension payments are based on a combination of service, age or disability or death. With a few rare exceptions that are noted below, VA pension payments are federally funded income based on need (IBON), which means the $50/$20 general exclusion is not applied to the payment. Pensions are usually paid monthly; however, when the payment due is less than $19, VA will pay quarterly, bi-annually or annually. VA may also make an extra payment if an underpayment is due. Pensions, per the VA, are tax free monetary benefits payable to low-income wartime veterans or to low- income un-remarried spouses and/or unmarried children of a deceased veteran with wartime service. Eligible Wartime Periods, under current VA law, are determined to be: • Mexican Border Period (May 9, 1916 – April 5, 1917, for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or adjacent waters) • World War I (April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1918) • World War II (December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946) • Korean conflict (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955) • Vietnam era (February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period; otherwise, August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975) • Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – through a future date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation)