The Department of Veterans Affairs has made funds available to help veterans and their spouses who need assistance with the rising costs of long-term care. Aid and Attendance Pension, as it’s more commonly known, is a special monthly, non-service-connected pension designed to pay benefits to individuals with regular, reoccurring, and unsubsidized health-related expenses.
Many Veterans Miss Out on the VA Aid and Attendance Pension
Most Veterans and their families know about VA Disability Compensation benefits, but are unaware of the VA Aid and Attendance Pension. It’s one of the most common entitlements veterans overlook, yet it is often essential to their financial well-being when paying for long-term care and even care provided by family members in the home utilizing caregiver contracts. There are several reasons veterans miss out on this benefit.
- They have never heard of the benefit.
- They think they have too many assets.
- They believe that their income is too high.
- They don’t know what qualifies as a medical expense.
- They don’t think they will qualify because they are still in the home.
- The application process is extremely complicated.
Understanding the Eligibility Requirements
VA benefits are not limited to combat vets or orthopedic conditions, like missing limbs and damaged muscles. Any veteran whose service received an honorable discharge from active-duty military service during a wartime period may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance Pension. Eligibility also includes those in the National Guard or Reserve mobilized or activated for service.
- World War II, 12/7/1941 -12/31/1946
- Korean Conflict, 6/27/1950 – 1/31/1955
- Vietnam War (Service in Vietnam), 11/1/1955 – 5/7/1975
- Vietnam War, 8/5/1964 – 5/7/1975
- Persian Gulf War, 8/2/1990 – TBD
The attorneys at Sandberg, Stettler, & White are accredited by the VA to help veterans and their spouses when applying for benefits. The rules and regulations for this program can be difficult to understand. We have guided hundreds of claimants successfully through the application process to receive much-needed and deserved benefits. Qualifying can make a big difference when struggling to pay the costs of long-term care.
If you’re a veteran or spouse of a veteran who requires regular caregiving for at least two activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, dressing, eating) at home, in assisted living, or a skilled nursing facility, we make sure your claim is processed as quickly as possible.
The Veterans Benefits Claims Process
Our firm specializes in veterans’ benefits and helps with the following:
- Navigating the application process – We guide you when applying for benefits by helping you gather the necessary documents and complete the application correctly.
- Representing you at appeals – If your claim receives a denial, we can help support you during the appeals process and present a strong case on your behalf.
- Reviewing and interpreting medical records – We can help you understand the medical documentation required for your claim and help obtain any necessary medical evaluations or examinations from doctors’ offices and long-term care facilities.
- Identifying and pursuing other benefits – We can help you identify other benefits you may be eligible for and apply.
- Representing you at hearings – If a claim receives a denial, we can represent you at a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Our attorneys know exactly what the eligibility requirements are and gather all necessary information to fill out your application correctly the first time.
Our estate planning attorneys can help you and your loved ones understand estate planning, Medicaid long-term care planning, crisis Medicaid planning, VA planning, special needs planning, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). With offices in Kaysville and South Jordan, our Utah law firm welcomes the opportunity to consult with new clients in Davis, Weber, Salt Lake, Utah, and surrounding counties to learn more about how we can help meet your estate planning and asset protection needs.