How To Fund Care For Veterans And Surviving Spouse
Many Vets are missing out on federal funds that are available for Veterans required care in Assisted living facilities, Skilled nursing homes or In-Home Care provided by a CareGiver.
The Veteran may qualify for Aid and Attendance (A&A) funding from the Veterans Administration. There are Service Requirements, Eligible Periods of War, Disability Requirements, as well as Income and Asset Requirements.
This article presents a brief overview of benefits and the requirements for qualification. For complete information contact the Veterans Administration and for local assistance contact Bob Waltz (480) 580-1444 or on the web at vaausa.com.
Aid & Attendance Program
The Aid & Attendance pension program is a benefit that may be available for veterans that are at 65 years old. The program is designed to assist with the cost of long term care in a facility or in the veterans own home. In order to qualify the veteran or surviving spouse must meet the service and income requirements.
Disability Requirements
A veteran may be eligible for A&A when:
- The veteran requires the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in daily living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing or protecting themselves from everyday hazards.
- The veteran is bedridden
- The veteran is a patient in a nursing home or mental or physical incapacity.
- The veteran is blind, or so nearly so as to have corrected vision of 5/200 or less, in both eyes.
Eligible Periods Of War
- World War I 4/6/1917 to 11/11/1918
- World War II 12/7/1941 to 12/31/1946
- Korean War 6/27/1950 to 1/31/1955
- Vietnam War 8/5/1964 to 5/7/1975
- Persian Gulf War 8/2/1990 to present
Income and Asset Requirements
The income and net worth of the veteran must be approved by the VA Case worker assessing the veterans financial situation. Unlike Medicare, the requirements for veteran qualification are not as specific and up to the decision of the VA Caseworker. VA benefits are a need-based benefit and a large net worth or high income might affect the eligibility.