As we honor our country’s dedicated service men and women on Veterans Day tomorrow, we should also be mindful of the care needs faced by many of these individuals. While a sobering thought, there are some programs that can help: this May, we wrote in great detail about the little known Aid and Attendance benefit, a program for low to no-income senior veterans and their spouses (read it here).
According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Aid and Attendance benefit can be paid in addition to monthly pension. The following medical eligibility guidelines apply:
- The veteran requires assistance from a caregiver to perform ADLs (activities of daily living) like bathing, dressing, feeding, or adjusting prosthetic devices.
- The veteran is bedridden or has been prescribed bed rest during treatment or following an illness.
- The veteran has a mental or physical disability that requires skilled care.
- The veteran is blind or nearly blind.
They must also meet the following criteria:
- Veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with one day during a period of war.
- There must be an honorable discharge.
- Single surviving spouses of such veterans are also eligible.
Veterans and surviving spouses who are eligible can apply funds toward out-of-pocket senior care expenses, such as home care, medical co-pays, in-home safety equipment, adult day services, assisted living or nursing home care, payment of family caregivers, and Medicare premiums.
Learn more about other VA Pension programs and benefits in this post.
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Benefits programs for senior veterans and surviving spouses … :: The Stocker Pitts Law Firm | 1-800-486-0280 says,
[...] the original article here: Benefits programs for senior veterans and surviving spouses … Akron Law [...]
on 10 November 2011 / 10:15 PM
Oxnard Family Circle says,
The DAV (Disabled American Veterans) provides outreach concerning its program services to the American people generally, and to disabled veterans and their families specifically. DAV information seminars are designed to educate disabled veterans and their families on specific veterans’ benefits and services from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), CA Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense and other government agencies.
Highly trained members of DAV National Service Officer Corps conduct these seminars. These experts in veterans’ benefits offer the best counseling and claim filing assistance veterans and their families can get from any source anywhere.
on 20 December 2011 / 8:13 PM
Michelle Seitzer says,
Thanks for sharing this information!
on 20 December 2011 / 10:04 PM