A friend worked his whole life as a street performer in S. America, a clown in Mexico, etc.  Never paid taxes, never got his 40 quarters together to qualify for Social Security.  But, when he was 17, he served in the US Navy, and he was honorably discharged.  A few years ago, he was told of an obscure law that qualifies him to receive $800 a month!  Needless to say, this has made a huge difference in his quality of life!  I don't know a thing more than this, so don't bother writing me.  But if you think you qualify, I suggest you google it or contact the US Embassy or your Congressman.  Lots of poor and homeless vets would benefit from using this law if they knew about it.

I should have added that the law says that if you have served and been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States and you don't otherwise qualify for pensions equal to $800 a month, the US government will make up the difference.  Who would dream such a law exists?  But for some like my friend it can make all the difference in the world!  So if you or someone you know might qualify, I hope you'll check into this.

Hmmmm, why don't you ask him for the details on this "law."

 

Mac

 

5 hours ago, Thanyaburi Mac said:

Hmmmm, why don't you ask him for the details on this "law."

 

Mac

 

Precisly, along with a link showing where to start.

 

7 hours ago, stockmktgenius said:

Who would dream such a law exists?  

Once again we are faced with this anonymous he was told  

 

The obscure law is obscure because it doesn't exist 

 

Go here and if such a law existed it would be listed

 
http://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/

 

 

Perhaps SSI with a small VA disability. https://www.ssa.gov/disabilityssi/ssi.html

Yes, I remember my friend telling me that just his being 65 was regarded as the same as having a disability.

So he probably fit under the second qualification for SSI that reads: "SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits."

It's the VA "Supplemental Pension for Wartime Veterans"  http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/vetpen.asp  which does seem to be "little known", despite being on the VA website and the website of many veterans groups.  

 

In order to qualify someone must be over age 65 or disabled AND have served in the military during a specified wartime period.  Note:  the don't actually have had to have seen service overseas, just been in service during certain time periods.  

 

Right now, the basic pension amount is over $1000 per month for a single veteran.  More if the veteran is married or qualifies as being "Housebound" on in need of "Aid & Attendance".

 

This is an important benefit, too, for Thai widows of qualifying veterans.  Unlike Social Security, a Thai widow can claim benefits without ever having to live in the U.S.  It behooves all U.S. veterans married to Thai ladies to see if they meet the criteria and get the necessary documents together, so their widows can apply for her widow's pension, which right now is over $700 per month.

 

This pension is not in ADDITION to Social Security or other pensions, but as the OP says it's a Supplemental Pension that will "top up" someone's income to the specified threshold.  It can be a lifesaver for an elderly person who doesn't qualify to receive a Social Security pension.