2024 VA Update

| Leave a Comment

2019 VA Update

By Sonja Kobrin, M.P.S., C.M.C. Geriatric Care Manager

V.I.P.  Care Management, Inc.

401 W Lantana Rd, Suite 3 Lantana, Florida

561-588-5151

 Financial Assistance for Elderly Veterans and Their Widows Is A Well Kept Secret

It is true that many elderly Veterans and their widows are not aware of the benefits they are entitled to. The Special Monthly Pension with Aid and Attendance is a pension designed to help elderly Veterans and Veteran’s Widows pay for costly Home Health Care, Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home fees (if the Veteran is not covered by
Medicaid). The pension can pay a married Veteran up to $2,727.00 per month, an unmarried Veteran up to $2,300.00 per month and a Veteran’s Widow can receive up to $1,478.00 per month  1 . The amount one receives is based upon their medical expenses and their current financial and medical status. The pension is paid by check directly to the Veteran or Veteran’s Widow every month as long as they meet the criteria. To get the maximum pension amount, a Veteran must qualify medically and financially and must have served their country for at least one day during “War Time”. Also the Veteran must have been honorably discharged. Every case is considered individually. If a Veteran or Veteran’s Widow feels they may qualify, they can apply for the pension. The pension can take many months to actually be approved. The average waiting period is three to eight months, sometimes longer. If you or someone you know is a Veteran or Veteran’s Widow and feels they may qualify for the pension, they can apply for the pension. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides information on how to apply for the pension on their website  1 . It is important
to note that the application process can take several months to complete, so it is best to apply as soon as possible.
Here are the Special Monthly Pension with Aid and Attendance eligibility criteria for the year 2024:

  • Veteran served in the Military for at least 90 consecutive days as active duty, with at least one day during War Time or had a spouse who served at that time. Spouses are people whom you never divorced.
  • WAR TIMES:
    WWII  – Dec 7, 1941-Dec 31, 1946
    Korean War  – June 27, 1950 – Jan 31, 1955
    Vietnam War – Feb 28, 1961- May 7, 1975
    Gulf War – August 2, 1990 – present
  • Honorably Discharged from the Military.
  • Currently has medical or psychological condition which make the Veteran or Veteran widow dependent on the aid or assistance of a non- family member to meet their daily care needs, or they reside in an

Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home. This claim must be supported by physician signed forms, financial data and medical records.

  • Financial Criteria: Have assets in their own name below $155,356 if married or single. The car and house does not count as an asset. Must show that regular monthly expenses exceed the monthly income. Examples of expenses are medical expenses such as insurance  premiums/co-pays, assisted living facility fees, paid caregiver salary,
    medications, medical transportation/ supplies, certain housing expenses, etc.
  • Note: VA may require someone of advanced age to have fewer assets than quoted above. We have seen this when applicants are over 80 years old.

In many cases, if a person has a paid care giver, such as a nurse’s aide, or they pay an Assisted Living Facility, or they pay out of pocket for a nursing home, those expenses reduce a person’s income that they may meet the criteria for the income level.

New regulations have added a 3 year look back period for transfers of assets. Please consult with an elder law attorney for advice if assets  have already been transferred or to explore your available solutions..

With a little professional planning, many Veterans and Veteran Widows can receive pensions that make a significant difference in the amount of care they receive. After all, the reason for this particular pension is to assure that a Veteran or Veteran Widow does not live in a substandard environment in their old age. It takes a little work to apply for this pension, but anything worth having usually does.

Call today for a FREE consultation!

561-588-5151

V.I.P.  Care Management, Inc.

401 W Lantana Rd, Suite 3 Lantana, Florida