50+ Lifestyles

Your Advocacy

By Kathy Nitz
Lead Benefits Advocate
GolderCare Solutions

Help for the Aging Person

Whether you are a Veteran or family of a Veteran, you need to be aware of certain benefits that might be available to you through the Veteran’s Administration that would assist you when you are in need of some extra help or considering changing your living environment. You may have also heard that getting approved for these benefits can be quite the task.

Many people we talk with are frustrated because they weren’t aware of the benefits available to them. There are numerous benefits available to veterans but, for this article, we will
discuss only two:

Survivors Pension (Aid and Attendance) – “The Survivors Pension benefit, which may also be referred to as Death Pension, is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to a low-income, un-remarried surviving spouse and/or unmarried child(ren) of a deceased Veteran with wartime service.” http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/spousepen.asp

Pension Benefits (Aid and Attendance for Veteran) – “Veterans and survivors who are eligible for a VA pension and require the aid and attendance of another person, or are housebound, may be eligible for additional monetary payment. These benefits are paid in addition to monthly pension, and they are not paid without eligibility to Pension. Since Aid and Attendance and Housebound allowances increase the pension amount, people who are not eligible for a basic pension due to excessive income may be eligible for pension at these increased rates. A Veteran or surviving spouse may not receive Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound benefits at the same time.”

http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/aid_attendance_housebound.asp

VA Aid and Attendance is NOT an entitlement program. You or your spouse must meet service criteria as well as asset and income criteria and you must have unreimbursed medical expenses. Unreimbursed medical expenses are “out of pocket” medical expenses not covered by insurance or any other benefit that were paid out on behalf of the Veteran, the veteran’s spouse, or the veteran’s dependent child.

These benefits are subjective; they may not apply to your specific situation.

1. VA Aid and Attendance is ideal for In-home care or Assisted Living. It can also now be used for Independent Living facilities in certain situations since the rule change in October 2018. This level of care is generally an unreimbursed medical expense that will assist in qualifying you for benefits.

2. The cost of care in a Nursing Home is significantly more than that of Assisted Living or In-home care. Long Term Care/Institutional Medicaid may be a better resource to help pay for this level of care as VA Aid and Attendance benefits may not cover your care costs. Each situation is different and it would be well worth your time in reviewing your particular situation with a professional.

3. If you are seeking Aid and Attendance, you need to review your situation with a professional before making application for VA benefits.

4. Many veterans were given to believe that their service does not qualify them for benefits. This is especially common among our Vietnam vets. Benefit eligibility changes all the time and many times those that were not qualified before, may be now. I have had so many veterans that are “exceptions to the rule” when I do the research. Don’t assume you don’t qualify until you find out for sure.

5. When you’re ready to make application, your local Veteran Service Officer is the best person to assist with the actual filing of the application. However, they only make the application for you and do not assist you in making sure your financial situation is such that you will be in the best position to receive an approval. For that, you would need to consult professionals that know the VA rules and can help make sure you are in the best possible position to be approved.

It’s easy to see why one might misinterpret the VA rules. For one thing, the guidelines go beyond a simple asset review. The VA also takes into account your age and an approximation of how long your assets will sustain you based on a doctor’s written report. The published asset level is only a starting guideline.

All benefits require certain criteria be met. Know for sure what benefits you may qualify more. Given the current rules of the VA, you can meet those required criteria if you have a plan. Let GolderCare be your guide to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.

At GolderCare, we are committed to making sure our clients have the best resources so they can live their best life, especially as they face the realities of aging and finding themselves in need of a higher level of care. We advise seniors, whether they are living at home, an assisted living or long-term care facility how to make educated decisions for themselves in regards to their health and activity level, which will lead to a better quality of life, less doctor intervention and a fuller life as they age.

Please consider joining us for our March Senior Empowerment Series. We will be discussing the topic of Veteran’s Benefits. You will learn about benefits available to Veterans for Long-Term Care and if you may qualify. We will discuss recent changes in rules for VA Aid & Attendance. Our Senior Empowerment Series is free and open to the public.

• March 6, 10 am – GolderCare Office, 1900 State St., Bettendorf, IA
• March 20, 10 am – Moline Public Library, 3210 41st St, Moline, IL

Kathy Nitz is the Lead Benefits Advocate for GolderCare Solutions. She uses her wealth of knowledge and experience in benefits planning to advocate for seniors and those who are disabled. You can reach Kathy at GolderCare Solutions Unlimited, LLC (309) 764-2273. You can learn more about GolderCare at www.goldercare.com.

Kathy Nitz is a Benefits Advocate for GolderCare Solutions. She uses her wealth of knowledge and experience in benefits planning to help seniors and those who are disabled.