Many families struggle to provide necessary care for aging or disabled Veterans or their surviving spouses. Unfortunately, most of these families are unaware of an important benefit available through the Veterans Administration. This benefit, called Aid and Attendance, is designed to assist Veterans and/or their spouses offset the high cost of care, if the eligibility requirements are met.
Many older Veterans or their spouses require assistance due to illness, disability, or advanced age. This assistance is typically in the form of caregivers, Assisted Living Facilities, Board and Care facilities, or similar care. The cost for that care is often high, and the Aid and Attendance Benefit can offer significant financial assistance. A family member (other than a spouse) can serve as the caregiver, making this benefit within reach for many Veterans and spouses.
The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty service, one day of which must have been during a war-time period. There is no requirement that the Veteran was injured in the war, nor any requirement that the Veteran was in combat. Rather, the benefit focuses upon whether the applicant has “care costs” or “unreimbursed medical expenses.” The VA uses a “formula” for eligibility based upon age, income, assets, and these unreimbursed medical expenses. Every applicant is different. New increased benefit amounts went into effect December 1, 2011, as follows:
Single Vet: $20,447 annually; $1,703 monthly
Surviving Spouse of a Vet: $13,138 annually; $1,094 monthly
Married Vet: $24,239 annually; $2,019 monthly
Vet Married to Vet: $31,578 annually; $2,631 monthly
Application for Aid and Attendance Benefits can be a complex and lengthy process. Be cautious of making transfers or restructuring assets without professional advice, because certain transfers will disqualify the veteran/spouse from Medi-Cal if nursing home care is needed. But, with proper planning, VA Aid and Attendance can provide much needed assistance to those requiring care and assistance.
For more information, please call the Law Office of Jane M. McNamara at 661-287-3260, or visit www.VAbenefits4seniors.com.