Eligibility For Health Care Programs Military Service Pensioner
Long-Term Care
Military service pensioners are eligible to receive the cost to them of chronic care, in respect of a pensioned condition, if:
What Is A Veterans Pension
A Veterans Basic Pension Benefit is an income program available to veterans and to the surviving unmarried spouse of a deceased veteran. To be eligible, a veteran must have served in the active duty of the military or a qualified support organization for at least 90 days with one of those days being during a period of a declared war .
Service in combat is not required, only that the veteran was in the military service during wartime and was honorably discharged. Charts showing the dates of declared wartime service are listed below.
There is a sister benefit to the Disability Pension called Compensation. This is for veterans who are disabled because of injuries or illnesses incurred while on active duty. Compensation is generally the more desirable benefit for several reasons but we will not go into this subject on this site. This site is limited exclusively to the Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit.
A veteran household generally cannot receive both a Pension and Compensation benefit at the same time. A decision must be made as to which benefit is better and the veteran must choose only that benefit.
What Amounts Do Va Benefits Pay
Maximum monthly Veterans Pension rates
- Veterans with no dependents: $1,229
- Veterans with a dependent spouse or child: $1,610
- Two veterans married to each other: $1,610
Maximum monthly Veterns Pension plus Aid and Attendance
- Veterans with no dependents: $2,050
- Veterans with a dependent spouse or child: $2,431
- Two veterans married to each other: $3,253
Maximum monthly Veterns Pension plus Housebound allowance
- Veterans with no dependents: $1,502
- Veterans with a dependent spouse or child: $1,883
- Two veterans married to each other: $2,155
Veterans Pension surviving spouse rates
- Widowed spouse with no dependents: $824
- Widowed spouse with one dependent: $1,079
Veterans Pension for surviving spouse plus Aid and Attendance
- Widowed spouse with no dependents: $1,318
- Widowed spouse with one dependent: $1,572
Veterans Pension for surviving spouse plus Housebound allowance
- Widowed spouse with no dependents: $1,007
- Widowed spouse with one dependent: $1,262
Read Also: What Does Permanent Disability Mean
Veteran Benefits For Memory Care
Seniors with Alzheimers Disease or dementia receive memory care, also known as Alzheimers care. Memory care is typically 20-30% more expensive than assisted living in any given area. It could cost roughly $5,375 per month, based on the average monthly cost of assisted living in the United States of $4,300. A& A benefits may be an essential option to help people pay for memory care services.
Vas Dates For Wartime
The VA considers the following wartime periods:
PeriodsDatesMexican Border periodMay 9, 1916 April 5, 1917World War IApril 6, 1917 Nov. 11, 1918World War IIDec. 7, 1941 Dec. 31, 1946Korean conflictJune 27, 1950 Jan. 31, 1955Vietnam War Era Nov. 1, 1955 May 7, 1975Vietnam War Era Aug. 5, 1964 May 7, 1975Gulf WarAug. 2, 1990 future date to be determined by law or a presidential order
Recommended Reading: What Kind Of Disability Is Adhd
A9 Newfoundland And Labrador
The Newfoundland Department of Health and Community Services offers two levels of subsidized care for its seniors nursing homes and personal care homes. The publicly-funded nursing homes provide onsite professional health and nursing services while privately-owned and operated personal care homes provide residents with assistance for their personal care and ADL . Clients of personal care homes can also take advantage of visits from the regional health authoritys health professionals.
Eligibility:
The regional health authorities in Newfoundland/Labrador are responsible for the administration of a health care needs assessment for clients requesting subsidized assisted living. The assessment process helps to determine a clients overall eligibility for long-term care services. During the assessment process, clients can apply for provincial subsidies to help defray the costs of personal care homes. An income and asset test is also administered in order to determine the extent of the subsidy, if any, to which the client might be entitled.
The co-pay amount assigned to the client is scaled to annual income. For the majority of clients in the $28,000-$150,000 of annual income, the co-pay would be approximately 15 percent of net income .Footnote47
Accessibility:
Cost:
Due to the privately-owned nature of personal care homes, costs are market driven. However, net cost to the client is a function of their income and asset levels combined with eligibility for provincial subsidies.
Assisted Living: The Benefit
This review of assisted living options for seniors has shown that the concept of assisted living is still evolving on the Canadian landscape, evidenced by the wide range of assisted living models that were examined in both the publicly and privately-funded sectors. Although assisted living has been around for many years in the United States, there are encouraging signs that provincial health authorities are turning their attention to this shelter/care option for seniors. With the exception of the territories, every province in Canada provides some level of subsidized assisted living, even if it only subsidizes the health care support services that are part of a clients approved health care plan.
There is no doubt that keeping a senior out of a long-term care facility and in the community or in his or her own home is a more cost effective way of managing the health care issues that are specific to aging seniors, as long as their health status allows it. With the cost of long-term care continuing to increase at an alarming rate, many provincial health authorities are beginning to experiment with assisted living as a viable and cost effective shelter/care alternative.
Recommended Reading: Does Ptsd Qualify For Disability
Veteran Benefits For Assisted Living
The cost of assisted living varies from one location to the next, including facilities, unit size, and amount of care required. According to Genworths Cost of Care Survey, the median monthly cost of assisted living in the United States is around $4,500.
If a veteran or his or her surviving spouse qualifies for A& A benefits, they may be eligible for a monthly supplemental payment to help defray the cost of care in an assisted living facility, as long as the care includes assistance with ADLs and IADLs.
The Importance Of Long
According to Forbes, many veterans miss out on long-term care benefits with a mere five percent application rate for the assistance funds because veterans are unaware of the programs. Knowing about the programs and if you qualify, locating the necessary paperwork, filling it out, and filing applications can be daunting. Incorrectly filed applications can delay the process of receiving benefits. VeteranAid.org is an online free resource for veterans and their surviving spouses and families. The website details A& A Pension Benefits and how to apply.
If you are a veteran or have a loved one who is a veteran, it is imperative to maximize all long-term care benefits due to them for their military service. The sooner you can identify what is available to you, the quicker you can fill out the applications and get the process of receiving VA long-term care benefits moving forward. As with all long-term planning, you will typically have a better outcome if you address the situation early. We hope you found this article helpful. If you have questions or would like to discuss a personal legal matter, dont hesitate to reach out. Please contact us at .
Don’t Miss: Social Security Disability Housing Assistance
Getting Government Support For Those Who Served In The Military
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and certain members of their families are entitled to government benefits in many areas as a result of their service to the country. Healthcare is a primary focus, but veterans may also be entitled to other benefits or services, including disability benefits, pension benefits, home loan guarantees, life insurance and burial benefits. The array of benefits available, many of which impose qualifying conditions based on military service, enrollment in the VA medical benefits package, level of disability, current income and other factors, can be confusing and difficult to navigate. At Estate & Elder Law Services, we take special pride in assisting veterans in pursuing benefits and helping them determine whether they qualify for services and programs available in their area.
Eligibility Requirements For Va Aid And Attendance Benefits
To be eligible for VA Aid and Attendance benefits, you must be receiving a VA pension and meet one of these requirements, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- You need someone to help you perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and eating or
- You spend a large portion of your day in bed because of illness or
- Youâre in a nursing home due to loss of mental or physical abilities or
- Your eyesight is limited even with glasses or contacts.
Covington adds that veterans must already be paying for care for a claim to receive Aid and Attendance benefits to be approved.
You May Like: Nj Temporary Disability Form Online
Assisted Living: A Philosophy Of Shelter/care Rather Than A Model
As mentioned earlier in the review, one of the challenges of examining assisted living is coming up with a universally accepted definition of the concept, and then placing that concept on the shelter/care continuum. Because so many iterations and models of assisted living can be found in both the public and privately-funded arenas, perhaps it would be better to think of assisted living as a shelter/care philosophy or approach, rather than a specific model of shelter/care. Not only would it make it easier for government and health authorities to establish standards for the delivery of assisted living, it would facilitate the decision making process for seniors knowing they are buying into a service philosophy or approach rather than a specific level of housing combined with a package of support services. It would also remove the necessity of placing assisted living somewhere on the shelter/care continuum, reducing the confusion around the concept that currently exists.
Veterans Benefits For Independent Living
Independent living facilities are for older adults who are generally healthy, active, and able to live on their own. These communities offer a carefree lifestyle for older adults who want convenience and a social lifestyle, free of the responsibilities of home ownership. Independent living services often include prepared meals, housekeeping, complimentary transportation, and social activities.
Typically, independent living facilities dont provide assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing and toileting, which is one of the requirements for Aid & Attendance eligibility. However, as seniors age, their health may decline and their care needs may change. Some independent living residents may eventually use home care services for help with personal care.
Like with other senior care types, independent living costs vary based on location, amenities, and size of accommodations. However, the monthly median cost of senior independent living in the U.S. is $2,552. Eligible seniors who live in an independent living community but receive help with activities of daily living may qualify for Aid and Attendances supplemental income. This benefit can help offset the cost of personal care services provided by the community or a third-party service.
Also Check: How Do You File Taxes On Social Security Disability
Aid And Attendance Benefit
Those disabled Veterans eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit include veterans with the inability to feed oneself, to dress and undress without assistance, or to take care of ones own bodily needs. People who are bedridden or need help adjusting to special prosthetic or orthopedic devices may also be eligible, as well as those who have a physical or mental injury or illness that requires regular assistance to protect them from hazards or dangers in their daily environment.
Medical Expenses Can Increase Pension
Pension benefits are payable to eligible veterans to ensure that their income does not fall below certain minimums. When a veteran has medical expenses not covered by other insurance, the expenses can be used to reduce a veterans countable income. This could then result in a higher pension benefit in order to meet the minimum income.
The following examples are of expenses that can be used to reduce countable income:
- Insurance premiums
- Nursing home facility costs
Don’t Miss: How To Check Status Of Disability Claim
How To Get Help With The Application Process
The application process can be daunting. There is nothing about the process that is seamless, says Beth, who has an MBA and is now a financial planner. But help is out there don’t give up.
The application plus supplemental forms can be more than 50 pages long, says Victoria Collier, an elder law attorney who is accredited with the VA and co-owner of Patriot Angels, which specializes in helping veterans with Aid and Attendance and other long-term care benefits . Its clients start to receive benefits an average of 118 days after applying, says Collier. It charges $795 for its services.
You can find a VSO in your area that provides free assistance here, which is how Beth found the expert from the American Legion. Some estate planning attorneys also help people with Aid and Attendance benefits as part of their elder law services. A financial planner or geriatric care manager may also recommend a specialist who can help. Byron Cordes, a geriatric care manager in San Antonio, is helping people search for long-term care facilities and caregivers. He refers veterans who seem to meet the criteria to an elder law attorney who has expertise in these benefits. In Texas, it can pay almost half of the nursing home costs, he says.
More on Veterans
Veteran Benefits For Home Care
The cost of in-home care varies substantially depending on the type of care required and how frequently it is offered. However, in the United States, the average cost of home care is $23 per hour. Seniors who are Aid and Attendance eligible and get home care assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing or dressing may be eligible for extra income to help pay for these services.
You May Like: Is Hip Replacement Considered A Disability
What Are Housebound Benefits
VA Housebound benefits are for veterans and surviving spouses who spend most of their time at home because of a permanent disability. Those who qualify for Housebound benefits are confined to their home or need the assistance of others when leaving their home for medical appointments or medically necessary treatments.
Similar to Aid and Attendance benefits, your loved one must meet eligibility requirements and be receiving VA Pension or Survivors Pension to qualify for Housebound benefits, or they may apply for Housebound benefits at the same time they apply for pension benefits. Housebound benefits provide a monthly amount to those who qualify, which is paid in addition to VA Pension or Survivors Pension amount.
Whos eligible for Housebound benefits?
If youve met the eligibility requirements for VA Pension or Survivors Pension, you may also qualify for Housebound benefits if:
- You are confined to your home because of a permanent disability
- You only leave your home to attend doctor appointments or to receive medical treatments
Eligibility For Health Care Programs Civilian Pensioners
Long-Term Care
Civilian pensioners are eligible for the following Long-Term Care benefits if an assessment shows that the care is an appropriate response to their health needs.
Civilian pensioners are eligible to receive the cost to them of chronic care, in respect of a war-related pensioned condition, if the care is:
Civilian pensioners are eligible to receive the cost to them of chronic care in Canada in a community facility, other than a contract bed, if:
Civilian pensioners are eligible to receive chronic care in Canada in a community facility, other than a contract bed, if:
Don’t Miss: Can The Irs Garnish My Social Security Disability Check
How To Apply For Va Benefits
On the VA website, you can assist your loved one in applying for veterans benefits. If you are assisting in creating an account, they will be able to preserve their work as you help them in gathering the necessary information and papers for their application. Photocopies of any original documents should be kept.
Application for veterans benefits is also possible by mail. Send their Application for Pension form to the Pension Management Center of the VA, or in person at a VA site near you.
Senior Retired Veteran
Where Do I Apply For Va Benefits
You may help your loved one apply for veterans benefits online on the VA website. If you help your relative create an account, they can save their work as you help them gather information and required documents for their application. Be sure to keep photocopies of any original documents.
Your loved one can also apply for veterans benefits by mail by sending their Application for Pension form to the VAs Pension Management Center or in person at VA facility near you.
You May Like: How Much Does Disability Pay In Alabama