Pension Poaching

While all veterans should be cautious about who they work with to apply for benefits, statistics show why older veterans are a scammer's prime target. As of 2021, there are about 19 million veterans in the United States. Of those, more than 73 percent are age 50 or older, with more than 37 percent of veterans being age 75 or older. Additionally, 78 percent of veterans served during wartime and are potentially eligible for a pension.  

A report released in October 2019 by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that as of 2018, 95% of Aid & Attendance recipients were age 65 and older and 68% of recipients were age 85 and older. 

Many veterans and their beneficiaries apply for VA pension at a point of intense need or in a time of crisis. The application process and required supporting documentation can be overwhelming and to find assistance through the process, veterans or their beneficiaries may unknowingly engage with scammers and dishonest financial planners who charge for "help".

Veterans and their advocates should never pay for assistance to apply for veterans' benefits. Federal and state laws make provisions for accredited veteran service officers (VSO) to provide free advice and assistance for veterans to apply for their veterans' benefits. This includes assistance with completing and filing applications. These experienced men and women are certified professionals who are well-trained and provide great advice to veterans.

Veterans and their beneficiaries should never pay…

• For forms or to submit applications 
• To restructure assets in order to "qualify" 
• For the promise of eligibility for a pension
• To receive a lump sum payment on a pension

 
There are approximately 200 accredited veteran service officers in Pennsylvania who work within organizations such as the DMVA, county veterans affairs offices and several veterans service organizations. 

In addition to pensions, accredited veteran service officers provide veterans and their dependents free assistance to identify, determine eligibility for and apply for a wide range of benefits on the local, state and federal levels, including: 

• Payment of burial allowances
• Ensuring grave markers and headstones are properly requested and placed
• The Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption Program
• Veterans Temporary Assistance
  
• Blind and Paralyzed Veterans pensions
• The Education Gratuity Program
• Service-connected disability and non-service-connected disability pensions
• Federal health care benefits
• Survivor benefits
  

A complete list of county directors and their contact information can be found here: County Directors of Veterans Affairs. Contact information for Veteran Service Organizations VSOs can be found here: Veteran Service Officers Contact Information.

If you suspect or experience a scam or financial exploitation related to any Veteran benefit, including a VA pension, file a report immediately with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Military and Veterans Affairs section via one of the methods listed below:

• Call (717) 783-1944 
• Email PAvets@attorneygeneral.gov
• File a complaint online by following the "Submit a Complaint" link from any page of the www.attorneygeneral.gov website. When choosing this option, use the "consumer form" and check the box indicating that the complainant or immediate family member is a military member or a veteran. 
• The consumer complaint form can be accessed at: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/consumer-complaint/