Following the Civil War, pensions were initially granted under the "General Law" enacted on 22 July 1861 in an effort to recruit volunteers, and later expanded on 14 July 1862 as "An Act to Grant Pensions," which provided pensions for soldiers with war-related disabilities, and for widows, children under sixteen … These pensions, based on financial need, were granted for life. Civil War Pension Application Processing, 1861–1885 Spring 2010, Vol. Provides an additional monthly payment of $50 if the veteran is permanently homebound, or $125 if he is … World War I Pension Act - Establishes a monthly pension for qualified World War I veterans of $135 if unmarried and with no children, or $150 if married and living with or contributing to the support of a spouse or with children. Civil War Pensions At the close of the Revolutionary War, the United States government began administering a limited pension system to soldiers wounded during active military service or veterans and their widows pleading dire Poverty. 1 Administration of pensions, &c. under Injuries in War (Compensation) Acts (1) Where a scheme framed under the Injuries in War (Compensation) Act, 1914, as amended by the Injuries in War (Compensation) Act, 1914 (Session 2), is to be administered by the Minister of Pensions— (a) the provisions of the War Pensions … (Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15) The Civil War wrought monumental … 1 By Claire Prechtel-Kluskens Enlarge Most disabled pensioners were required to submit to periodic examinations by physicians chosen by the Pension Office. In 1890 the most notable revision in the Federal pension law occurred: the Dependent Pension Act… As a result, pension application papers on file at the National Archives begin after 1800. Not until 1818 did Congress pass a pension law granting pensions to Revolutionary War veterans who had not been disabled. Requirements for a pension varied according to congressional amendments after the original 1862 legislation. An Act to amend the War Pensions Acts, 1915 to 1920, and to provide for certain other matters connected with the administration of pensions, grants, and … Fires in 1800 destroyed the earliest Revolutionary War pension application records. When the restored pension legislation for widows/widowers came into effect in 1995, awards were paid from the date of application. Funding such a massive pension system was not an easy thing. From the beginning of the Civil War through the twentieth century, Congress passed many laws that impacted pensions for Civil War Union veterans and their dependents. The pension act of 1832 allowed pensions again based on service and made widows of veterans also eligible to receive pension benefits. A law passed in 1912 increased the rate to a maximum of $30 a month for both Civil War and Mexican War veterans. (For more information about pension files and how to access them, see last month’s NGS Monthly article, “ Civil War Union Pension Files: … Under current law, we recognize the following wartime periods to decide eligibility for VA pension benefits: Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917, for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters) World War I (April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918) The federal government found it most economically and politically expedient to rely on adjusting the tariff rate as necessary to pay for it all. Veterans, widows, parents, and minor dependents were eligible for pensions under certain conditions, and each was required to file an application. Each amendment extended the benefits by more liberal terms. 42, No. July 13, 2015. When a larger-than-anticipated number of applicants led to financial difficulties for the young nation, Congress amended the 1818 law …