There Are VA Benefits That Can Help With the Costs of Long-Term Care

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.