If you are an elderly Veteran who is struggling to make ends meet, you may be missing out on a huge source of benefits that are available to you. Veterans may qualify for a whole host of benefits that can help not only the individual, but their spouses and dependents, as well. If you haven’t looked into what is available, a professional elder law attorney can help you with the process. Here are some programs you may be eligible for and how to qualify for them.

Who Can Qualify?

There is a service requirement for Veterans programs. Generally you must fall into one of the following categories:

  • World War II service between December 1941 through December 1946
  • Korean service between June 1950 and January 1955
  • Vietnam service between August 1964 and May 1975
  • Gulf war service after August 1990

In addition to service requirements, your total yearly family income has to be less than the amount set by Congress in order to qualify for the Veterans Pension benefit.

Basic Pension Benefits

The first level of improved pensions for Veterans is called Basic Pension. This was set up to assist Veterans who are currently healthy but are not able to make ends meet due to a low income. There are rather strict income requirements for this program and it is only for healthy veterans. There are other programs that can help injured or disabled Veterans.

Housebound Benefits

This would be a second tier of benefits that are available to Veterans. Much like the name implies, these benefits are available to elderly Veterans who are housebound or unable to get daily activities done on their own. Assistance must be needed on a regular basis, usually daily or weekly depending on the task.

Aid and Attendance

These benefits are an enhanced version of the housebound benefit. If the Veteran cannot perform simple daily activities such as bathing, feeding or dressing, then they may qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits. A Veteran or spouse may not receive this type of benefit and Housebound benefits at the same time.

Where to Apply for Benefits

If you feel that you are an elderly Veteran who may qualify for these benefits, then you should start by contacting the VA’s Health Benefits Service Center. You could also contact a Veterans Benefits office or your local VA hospital who may be able to assist you.

Income and Financial Requirements

All of the benefits listed above are based on Veterans income. This means anything that they are receiving from Social Security, active pensions, retirement accounts and any other sources of income. It may also include assets like real estate or homes.

All of these factors are taken into consideration as applications are processed for any of these enhanced pension benefits.

Denied Benefits? Your Elder Law Attorney May Help

If you have been denied benefits on your initial application, don’t worry. An experienced elder law attorney from Stano Law Group can help. You may still qualify depending on your circumstances. Contact us today!