Aid and Attendance for Veterans:An Under-Used Benefit
Aid and Attendance for Veterans:An Under-Used Benefit
Throughout history, men and women of the United States Armed Forces have selflessly served our country. While some have paid the ultimate price, others are now disabled or face health problems. In addition to war-related injuries, veterans from World War II and the Korean War face another challenge age-related illnesses and limitations.
To help veterans and their spouses maintain their independence and maximize their dignity and quality of life, there is a benefit known as Aid and Attendance. Unfortunately, many people who may qualify for this pension benefit are NOT aware of it. The amount paid for Aid and Attendance is over and above a veteran's monthly pension.
What is Aid and Attendance?
Aid and Attendance is a pension benefit that pays qualified veterans and their spouses for specific costs associated with home care and care provided in an assisted living facility or nursing home. Care services must be necessary due to cognitive or physical limitations and may include custodial and personal care.
Coverage Amounts and Income Restrictions
To qualify for Aid and Attendance, claimants must have an adjusted annual income under established income thresholds. Certain costs can be subtracted from a person's total income to determine the adjusted income. For example, incurred costs associated with medical, custodial and personal care that are not reimbursed are subtracted to determine the adjusted income.
For the current income thresholds call the Veterans Administration at (800) 827-1000 or visit their website at www.VA.gov. Click Benefits on the home page, then click Compensation and Pension, and go to Fact Sheets. For veterans, go to Veterans with Limited Income and click Pension. For spouses, go to Dependents and Survivors Benefits and click Death Pension Benefits.
Aid & Attendance Qualifications
To qualify for this benefit, the claimant must be unable to live independently without support and:
* Require regular aid with personal care activities such as bathing, dressing, feeding, personal hygiene, transferring or with adjusting a prosthetic or orthopedic device.
* Need aid due to safety risks (physical or mental limitations) associated with injury or illness.
* Live in a nursing home.
* Be bedridden or blind.
Example Scenario
A veteran is receiving qualified care in his or her home from an organization such as Home Helpers. The veteran's total household income is $25,000. Care is provided five days a week for four hours a day at $20/hour making the annual cost approximately $20,000. To determine the benefit, subtract the adjusted annual income ($25,000 - $20,000 = $5,000) from the income limit ($18,654 in 2007). In this case, the VA would pay the veteran as much as $13,654 under the Aid and Attendance benefit. The benefit equates to about 70% of the cost of home care, paying $13.65 for each hour of care.
The Application Process
If pension benefits are being received by a veteran or his/her spouse, write a letter to the VA indicating you'd like to apply for Aid and Attendance. To help speed the process, you can include a physician's statement indicating your medical condition and necessity.
If pension benefits are NOT being received, the veteran or his/her spouse must apply to receive pension benefits before applying for Aid and Attendance. The process to apply for pension benefits requires considerable paperwork be compiled and filed.
The qualification and application processes can be quite confusing. While there is limited information about Aid and Attendance on the VA website, the website www.VeteranAid.org offers many helpful resources. (e.g., under How To Apply, the list of
required documents only applies to people who are not already receiving a pension.)
For assistance applying for Aid and Attendance you can contact any of the following:
The main VA number (800) 827-1000 or website www.VA.gov.
A nearby veterans services organization To find a veterans organization in your community visit:
http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1.
National veterans services organizations To find organizations that might help you visit: http://www1.va.gov/vso/ and click on View the Directory. Note: Make sure you understand the difference between working with a recognized versus and unrecognizedorganization.
Other qualifications include, but are not limited to:
* A minimum of 90 days active military service with at least one day during a period of war. *
* An honorable discharge or discharge other than dishonorable.
* An income threshold applies.
* For men and women called into the military after 9/80, the minimum service requirement is now 24 continuous months of military services or active duty.
HOME HELPERS services address many of the considerations and competencies referred to above. Our non-medical and personal care services are similar to what is often provided by family members and are designed to help people maintain their independence and avoid isolation.
Care services include general assistance, companionship, help with transportation, errands, plus much more. Services can be provided anywhere a family needs them in the home, hospital, rehabilitation center, nursing home, retirement community, etc. To learn more about Home Helpers, or to locate a Home Helpers office in your area, visit our website www.HomeHelpers.CC (as in Conscientious Caregivers) or call 203-364-1160 for assistance.
To subscribe to our complimentary series about Caregiver Concerns, go to www.homehelpersct.com. We're very happy to share them with you at no cost or obligation to you.
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