Veteran Association Benefits
The Benefit
If you are a Veteran or the surviving spouse of a Veteran, you may qualify for Veterans Benefits which will provide financial assistance to offset the cost of necessary health care. The VA Benefits are extremely valuable to those needing care in their home, an assisted living facility or nursing home.
Eligibility Requirements
There are three types of benefits we can help you qualify for. Basic eligibility criteria for these benefits are:► The Veteran must have served at least 90 days active military service, one day of which was during a wartime period.
► The Veteran must have been discharged from service under conditions other than dishonorable.
► The Claimant must meet asset and income criteria.
Additional Requirements
The Basic Pension benefit does not require any physical disability. However, Aid and Attendance Pension requires you to be blind or in need of regular attendance by another person with tasks, such as walking, getting in and out of bed, eating, bathing, dressing, toileting etc. The Housebound Pension requires you to be considered permanently and totally disabled AND be substantially confined to your immediate premises.
Eligible Wartime Periods
World War 1 – April 6, 1917 to Nov. 11,1918
World War 2 – Dec. 7, 1941 to Dec. 31, 1946
Korean conflict – June 27, 1950 to Jan. 31, 1995
Vietnam era – Aug. 5, 1961 to May 7, 1955
(Feb. 28, 1961 to Aug. 4, 1961 the Veteran must have served in the Republic of Vietnam)
Gulf War – Aug. 2 1990 – Current
Asset & Income Criteria
In order to qualify for the full benefit, your medical expenses must exceed your monthly income. Medical expenses are defined as all unreimbursed, monthly recurring health care expenses. Health care expenses include assisted living costs, in- home care costs (provided by a family member or a company), health insurance premiums, etc.
Unfortunately, the asset requirements are vague and are defines as, “whether the person has sufficient means to pay for their own care.” Although there is a presumption that a couple may have $80,000 in assets and qualify, this is not always the case. This is why it is important to meet with one of our VA Accredited Attorneys in order to ensure you are qualified. Also, there are ways to become qualified if you are over the asset limit.
Pension Amounts
Basic Pension- Single Veteran – up to $1,072/ month
- Married Veteran – up to $1,404/ month
- Surviving Spouse – up to $719/ month
Housebound Pension
- Single Veteran – up to $1,310/ month
- Married Veteran – up to $1,642/ month
- Surviving Spouse – up to $879/ month
Aid and Attendance Pension
- Single Veteran – up to $1,788/ month
- Married Veteran – up to $2,120/ month
- Surviving Spouse – up to $1,149/month
Additional Facts
- Veteran does not need to have a service-related disability
- Veteran does not need to have retired from the military
*Veteran does not have to have been in combat