There Are VA Benefits That Can Help With the Costs of Long-Term Care
Posted on Apr 24, 2014 7:52pm PDT
When I am talking to clients about possible sources of financial assistance
for long-term care costs and I mention the Veterans Administration, often
I get the response that they have been to the VA and there are no benefits
available to them. This may be a correct, if they knew to ask the right
questions.
Often when people are talking to the VA, they are asking about whether
they are entitled to any benefits as a result of a service related injury
that they or their veteran loved one suffered. However, they don’t
know to ask about the non-service related injury benefits like improved
pension or as it is more commonly referred to, Aid and Attendance.
Improved pension is a benefit that is available to veterans or their surviving
spouses 1) who are either permanently disabled (a service related disability
is not required) OR who are age 65 or older, 2) who meet wartime service
requirements and 3) who meet financial eligibility criteria (there are
limitations on both income and assets). If you are a veteran and qualify
for improved pension, you could potentially be eligible for over $2,000
a month in financial assistance for the costs of long-term care.
So, when you are exploring your eligibility for benefits from the VA, be
sure to inquire about both your eligibility for service related injury
benefits, as well as non-service related improved pension benefits.