SENIOR LIVING
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
SENIOR LIVING
The Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit for Seniors
SPONSORED CONTENT
Leonard was an American hero and a Korean War veteran . He served in the U . S . Air Force – Ground Crew back in 1951 and served his country proudly . But it wasn ’ t until later in life when Leonard and his wife , Nancy , developed medical conditions and needed to move to a personal care community that they learned of some financial assistance they could receive through the Veterans Affairs ( VA ) Aid and Attendance Benefit Program .
The VA Aid and Attendance program is a little-known benefit for veterans . It is a non-service-related improved pension benefit program that offers financial assistance to eligible veterans , their spouses , and surviving spouses who — due to age and / or medical conditions — need in-home care , adult day care , personal care / assisted living community care , or skilled nursing home services .
Veterans who meet the eligibility criteria and require ongoing medical care , not related to service injuries , may be eligible for VA benefits of up to $ 2,229 per month . Spouses and surviving spouses of a wartime veteran may be eligible for up to $ 1,432 per month . And a husband and wife filing jointly , who both need care , can receive up to $ 3,536 a month to help cover their long-term care expenses .
To qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit program , the veteran needs to have :
• Served at least 90 days of active duty in the military , where at least one day of the service occurred during a wartime period , regardless of whether the veteran was engaged in combat .
• Received an honorable , general or medical discharge from the military .
• The Veteran , spouse or surviving spouse has a medical or physical coindition that requires the supervision or assistance of another person on a regular basis . This includes needing help with taking medications , AM and PM dressing , incontinence management and / or bathing assistance .
• Monthly income ( after expenses ) is below the maximum benefit and savings do not exceed the financial assistance guideline of $ 132,000 in personal assets ( not including the value of a home or a car ). If assets are above the financial assistance guideline amount , financial planners and elder law attorneys can assist veterans with asset allocation options that could protect their assets , get them below the financial guideline , and make them eligible for the benefit right away .
The VA Aid and Attendance benefit application may take 6-8 months for processing ; however , once approved , payment is retroactive to the first of the month following the Department of Veterans Affairs ’ receipt of the application . To learn more about the Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit Program , or to find out if you qualify , visit the Veterans Affairs website at http :// www . va . gov / pension / aid-attendance-houseboundcare .
Leonard and Nancy worked hard all of their lives . Leonard served his country and was there for us when we needed him . Now , thanks to the VA Aid and Attendance benefit program , our country can be there for them … when they need us .
To learn more about the VA Aid and Attendance benefit program , and how it may help cover the cost of staying at a personal care community , contact Juniper Village at Forest Hills at 412.244.9901 .
WOODLAND HILLS ❘ SUMMER 2023 9