A
little-known veterans’ benefit for long-term care expenses is available
to wartime veterans and their spouses. But the benefit is being
overlooked by thousands of families, industry observers say. The Special Pension for
Veterans’ Aid and Attendance pays up to $1,644 a month,
$19,736 annually, toward assisted living,
nursing homes or in-home care for veterans 65 and older who served at least 90
days and one day during wartime —
stateside or overseas. Veterans and their spouses can
receive up to $23,396 annually and spouses of deceased veterans, $12,681. Yet, an estimated $22
billion a year goes unclaimed. In 2007, only 134,000 seniors nationwide received the
benefit, which
was established in 1952.
INTRODUCTION
TO THE VETERANS' AID AND ATTENDANCE SPECIAL PENSION
The Veterans' Administration offers a
Special Pension with Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit that is largely unknown. This
Special Pension (part of the VA Improved Pension program) allows for Veterans
and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person
to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing or taking care of the needs
of nature to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes
individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or
physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisted living facility also
qualifies.
This is a "pension benefit" and is not dependent
upon service-related injuries for compensation. Most Veterans
who are in need of assistance qualify for this pension. Aid and Attendance can help pay for care in the home,
nursing home or assisted living facility. The
Aid and Attendance Benefit is considered to be the third tier of a VA program
called Improved Pension. The other two tiers are Basic
and Housebound. Each tier has its own level of benefits and
qualifications. If you or your loved one does not qualify for Aid
and Attendance, you may want to check to see if you qualify for another level
of the Pension.
Eligibility must be proven by filing the proper Veterans
Application for Pension or Compensation. This application will require a
copy of DD-214 (see below for more information) or separation papers, Medical
Evaluation from a physician, current medical issues, net worth limitations, and
net income, along with out-of-pocket Medical Expenses. For more general information about the
Aid & Attendance Special Pension, please see http://www.vetassist.org/faq.htm
Q.
How do I know that
I qualify for Aid &
Attendance?
A.
The VA will require that your physician
fill out a form establishing that the claimant requires daily assistance from
others in order to dress, bathe, cook, eat, leave home, etc. The claimant does NOT have
to require help in ALL these areas. There simply must be adequate medical
evidence that the claimant cannot function alone. http://www.vetassist.org/eligibility.htm
The veteran served at least one day during
the following periods and had 90 days of continuous
military service.
|
World War II: December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946 |
[ ] |
Korean
War: June 27, 1950 through January
31, 1955 |
[ ] |
Vietnam
War: August 5, 1964 (February
28, 1961, for veterans who served “in country”
before August 5, 1964), through May
7, 1975 |
[ ] |
Gulf War: August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law of Presidential
Proclamation. |
As a rule of thumb, assets should not exceed $80,000. That amount drops
depending on the age of claimant. Also included is spousal income.
SUMMARY: If the claimant meets the income criteria,
the service criteria, and the net worth criteria, he or she is likely eligible
for one of the Improved Pensions (A&A, Housebound or Basic Pension). It is
not necessary to request the “Basic Pension” or
“Housebound.” Simply
fill out the form as though you are requesting the full Aid & Attendance
benefit. The VA will determine which level of the Improved Pension is
appropriate to your situation. VA Form 21-526 (claim for a living
veteran) or VA Form 21-534 (claim for death Pension from a surviving
spouse). You can ask VA to help you fill out
the form by calling or visiting a regional office.
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