Emily Schwarz, President, AidandAttendance.com
Are you a wartime veteran, or the surviving spouse of one, and considering a move to a senior living community? Do you require assistance, support, or care from another person on a regular basis? Or are you a caregiver trying to find a financial solution to help pay for your loved one’s care needs?
If you are able to answer yes to any of those questions, you may be eligible to receive a Pension that ranges from $1,318 to $2,431 monthly from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) known as the Aid and Attendance Benefit.
The Aid and Attendance Benefit is available to qualifying wartime Veterans and their surviving spouses. Many Veterans and spouses do not know they are entitled to a monthly income from the VA to help pay for a senior living community. This additional income can be a determining factor in the ability to afford needed care.
Qualifying for the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit
Aid and Attendance refers to the Veteran or Surviving Spouse’s regular need for assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). ADLs include things such as bathing, dressing, ambulating and toileting, and such assistance is most commonly provided by a senior living community, home healthcare professional or a familial caregiver.
In order for a veteran to qualify for Aid and Attendance, they must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with one day during a wartime period, however, no combat is required. A veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam Era who is paying for assisted living or memory care can be eligible for VA benefits of up to $2,431 per month, and the surviving spouse of a wartime veteran can receive as much as $1,318 per month. This income from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is tax-free and paid directly to the veteran or spouse.
Since most veterans and their families are not aware of Aid and Attendance, many believe that they cannot afford the care they need. Unfortunately, you must seek out information about the benefit – meaning, the government will not notify you if you are eligible. As with any federal program, the application process is not easy, nor is it simple, and minor mistakes can cause delays, or even denial of benefits in some cases.
Determining Eligibility
To ensure every deserving veteran family receives the funding they are entitled to, Oasis Senior Advisors has partnered with AidandAttendance.com, a resource that can help you understand the VA’s four eligibility criteria in five minutes when you take a free, 15-question survey. The five areas you will be asked about are military service, care needs, income, care expenses, and countable net worth. If you meet all the necessary requirements, it is possible to complete the lengthy VA application (over 30 pages) quickly and correctly by utilizing AidandAttendance.com’s innovative application software for as little as $99. Visit the Sign-Up Page to review all Technology Service Plans.
Don’t let the cost of care stop you from moving into assisted living, VA Benefits can be the solution. Contact your local Oasis Senior Advisor by calling (888) 455-5838 to learn more about AidandAttendance.com.
