IRON MOUNTAIN — This month, I would like to discuss the VA veterans pension. We have had many questions about who is eligible for this benefit and how to apply.

This is an income-based program, which means that you must meet certain income requirements that I will outline. A veteran must also meet VA active service requirements to be eligible. Finally, the veteran must be 65 years of age or have permanent and total disability, or be a patient in long-term care because of a disability or getting Social Security disability or supplemental security income.

This is for the veteran who has any discharge other than a dishonorable and has a yearly family income and net worth that meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth is all personal property you own, except your home, vehicle and most home furnishings. At this time, the net worth set by Congress as of Dec. 1, 2019, is $129,094. You must also have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during wartime if you started active duty before Sept. 8, 1980 or if you started active duty after Sept. 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or full period you were ordered, and have at least one day during wartime.

If you meet the above eligibility requirements, you must also meet the income guidelines. The VA considers your income the following way: all income minus allowable medical expenses, after deducting 5%. This then gives you the income for the VA purposes.

Example: You have income of $30,000 allowable medical, minus 5%, of $20,000 your allowable VA income would be $10,000.

The allowable maximum VA countable income for a single veteran is $13,752, a veteran with one dependent is $18,008. Additionally, the income level changes if a veteran is filing as being homebound or in need of aid and attendance.

If you think you may be eligible for this veterans benefit, contact the office to set up an appointment or have any questions answered. We can be reached at 906-774-2820 or at the office in the YMCA building, 800 Crystal Lake Blvd., No. 100, in Iron Mountain.

We are here to help you with the claim process. At this time, it is taking the VA between six to eight months to process these claims. Therefore, you should come in as soon as you can and get your claim filed. This is especially true if you are considering entering into an assisted living facility or are in need of income health services.

The office has now joined Facebook. Check us out and like and follow us at Dickinson County Office of Veteran Affairs. Special thanks to our new veteran service officer, Lacey Ellison, for setting up and administrating the site. We will be posting events and information for veterans on a regular basis.

This month, March 29 is Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Day, set aside to honor those who served in Vietnam and to remember those who didn’t come home. Take a moment to thank our Vietnam veterans.

The Dickinson County Veterans Alliance would like to remind anyone who will be attending Bay College West in the next year to apply for the $500 scholarship they will present at the Memorial Day program. Applications can be picked up at all local schools and at the office.

This year’s Memorial Day program will feature a special dedication to the Gold Star Families of Dickinson County with the unveiling of the new Gold Star Family memorial. This memorial will be placed at the Dickinson County Courthouse on the front lawn to recognize and honor the sacrifices of our county’s Gold Star Families. If you are a member of a Gold Star Family in Dickinson County, contact the office at 906-774-2820.

Upcoming events:

— March 29, Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Day.

— Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3674, 7 p.m, first Tuesday of every month, VFW post in Iron Mountain.

— Disabled American Veterans Cloverland Chapter 23, 7 p.m., third Thursday of every month, VFW in Iron Mountain.

— Carpenter-Clash American Legion Post 363, 6 p.m., first Wednesday of every month, VFW in Iron Mountain.

— VVA, 6:30 p.m., first Thursday of every month, VVA in Hermansville.

— AmVets, 6:30 p.m., first Thursday of every month, VVA in Hermansville.

— April 7, 8 a.m., Dickinson County Veterans Affairs committee meeting, Bay College West, Room 231A. The meeting is open to the public.