The following was posted on a website hosting comments and information exchanges of Veterans.
Help for Veterans’ Assisted Living Costs
Posted by: “Frank Scott” frankpscott@gmail.com frankpscott
Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:01 pm (PST)
Guys,
Many if not most of us probably won’t qualify for these benefits
because of financial reasons, but this is definitely worth
looking into if you might be eligible, or know someone who is or
will be – friend, family, widow of a deceased vet, etc.
http://bucks. blogs.nytimes. com/2010/ 11/11/help- for-veterans- assis\
ted-living-costs/ ?partner= rss&emc=rss
<http://bucks. blogs.nytimes. com/2010/ 11/11/help- for-veterans- assi\
sted-living- costs/?partner= rss&emc=rss>
With only a fraction of veterans using Veterans Affairs
benefits and health care services
<http://www.washingt onpost.com/ wp-dyn/content/ article/2010/ 10/11/\
AR2010101106320. html> , many senior veterans and their families
may not be aware of a benefit
<http://www.jensenes tatelaw.com/ articles/ elder-law/ 54-using- a-con\
sultant-to-obtain- the-veterans- aid-and-attendan ce-pension- benefit\
> that could cover some of the costs of living in an
assisted living community
<http://www.vba. va.gov/bln/ 21/pension/ vetpen.htm# 7> .
Here’s a reminder of that benefit, called the Aid and
Attendance benefit, which can cover nearly $2,000 a month
of such costs for qualifying veterans, depending on the
situation.
“Too many veterans and their families are unaware that they
may be entitled to substantial benefits that could help
offset the cost of living in a senior assisted living
community,” said Kelly Myers, senior vice president of
sales for Sunrise Senior Living
<http://www.sunrises eniorliving. com> , a company with more
than 300 assisted living communities. Sunrise recently
started a national campaign
<http://phx.corporat e-ir.net/ phoenix.zhtml? c=115860& p=irol-newsAr\
ticle&ID=1489673& highlight=> and it is planning information
sessions aimed at reminding veterans of the benefit
<http://sunrisesenio rliving.com/ veterans> .
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site, the
benefit is paid in addition to monthly pension benefits
<http://www.vba. va.gov/bln/ 21/pension/ vetpen.htm2> . To qualify
for the aid benefit, the veteran must generally be 65
or older (if not permanently disabled), have served
during wartime <http://www.vba. va.gov/bln/ 21/pension/ wartime.htm>
and meet certain other income
<http://www.vba. va.gov/bln/ 21/Rates/ pen01.htm> and asset
requirements and medical requirements.
In particular, annual income for the veteran and his or her
spouse — not counting unreimbursed medical expenses —
must be below a certain level. As for medical requirements,
the veteran must require the aid of someone else to perform
everyday “personal functions,” be bedridden, live
in a nursing home because of a mental or physical
incapacity or be blind. The need for assistance must also
be certified by a physician.
The benefits are paid directly to the recipient. While married
veterans may qualify for a nearly $2,000 monthly benefit, single
veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for less. To learn
more about it, veterans and their families should contact
their local V.A. office
<http://www.vba. va.gov/bln/ 21/pension/ vetpen.htm# 7> . If you or
your family have had experience with this benefit, share
your experiences below.