Veterans Benefits

We believe that Veterans deserve our utmost respect and honor whether they served during a period of war or during a period of peace. The sacrifices made by our Veterans in order to serve our country are the highest forms of sacrifice that can be made by Americans. So we do our best to educate families about VA benefits that may be available to loved ones because of service to our country.  These benefits can relieve the pressures of paying for extended long-term healthcare costs.  Sometimes, these benefits are the difference in whether a Veteran or their surviving spouse will be able to get the level of care they need.

Our goal is to assist you in understanding the processes and procedures needed to be undertaken to successfully submit a claim for the VA Aid and Attendance Pension.  Many families are frustrated by the complexities of the filing process as well as the length of time It takes to receive a favorable reply from the Veteran’s Administration.

 

Understanding VA Aid & Attendance:

This program awards pensions to wartime veterans, their spouses, or their surviving spouses to help pay for home healthcare, assisted living, nursing home or memory care when the need for such care is not service related. Certain veterans, their spouses, or their surviving spouses can receive TAX FREE help to pay for care . . . at home, assisted living, memory care, or nursing care. Benefits are available to pay professionals, family members, or friends to provide care. The VA Aid and Attendance Pension is designed to re-pay veterans and their spouses for the sacrifices they made for service in WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or the most recent Gulf War. Veterans of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Merchant Marines, or Coast Guard – age 65 or older who served during a period of war (combat service is not necessary) may be eligible for funds to help pay for long-term care expenses at home or in a care community. Eligibility is based upon 3 basic criteria:

  1. Dates of service – Must be a Wartime Veteran who served at least one day during a period of war with at least 90 days of active duty.
  2. Discharge status -Must have received any discharge status other than dishonorable.
  3. Need for care -Must now need the assistance of another individual to assist you with at least one activity of daily living*.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you must then meet the qualification standards.  These standards are based upon income, the cost of care that is needed, and the amount of savings and investments that you have accumulated. Each case must be evaluated on its own to determine whether or not a veteran or spouse will qualify. 

Let us guide you through this process. We understand how difficult making healthcare decisions can be and can help by alleviating or minimizing the financial and legal impact of paying for care.

 

 

* Activities of daily living include eating, bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting and mental impairment such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.  Needing assistance with maintaining a safe and secure environment, medication monitoring, prone to falls, or poor eyesight may also be qualifying needs.