Paying for in home care, nursing home care and assisted living care can be very daunting. With the help of the Veterans Aid and Attendance benefits, you can offset some of the cost of these services. A veteran is eligible to receive up to $1,732.00 a month in assistance, while a surviving spouse can receive up to $1,113.00 per month. A couple receiving benefits can be eligible for up to $2,054.00 a month.
If you find that you have assets that are above the allowed limit with the A&A benefit plan, you can usually place these assets into investments that allow them to become sheltered. There is no penalty or look back period with the Veterans’ Administration. In order to protect yourself and your beneficiaries, you should consult first with an elder care lawyer to ensure that you are not running a risk of disqualifying yourself from possible Medicaid benefits. Medicaid disqualification can occur if your VA pension is not handled correctly.
The Aid and Attendance benefit pension takes quite a bit of work to apply for, but the reward is well worth it. As a veteran or a surviving spouse, it will allow you to offset the cost of your long term care by using pension money, thus allowing you to live more comfortably. While you can apply for these benefits on your own, it is recommended that you consult with an elder care lawyer or financial professional before doing so to ensure that you are able to receive maximum benefits.
