Home Care for Veterans – Here are 5 Important Facts to Know about the Aid & Attendance Benefit
The VA Aid and Attendance Benefit was developed 60 years ago and was designed to help veterans get the proper assistance at home that they needed. Veterans home care continues to be an essential component for both returning servicemen and women as well as aging veterans.
Below are five things every veteran should know about the process of applying for the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit.
1. They don’t have to have been injured in combat to receive the Benefit.
In fact, the pension is specifically for wartime veterans over the age of 65 who have a NON-service connected disability.
2. To qualify for veterans home care for elderly individuals, they need to have a doctor’s recommendation.
This means that a doctor will have to sign a completed VA form that includes a diagnosis and details the kinds of assistance the elderly applicant requires at home.
3. The qualifying veteran’s widow may also be entitled to financial assistance through this program.
If the veteran who would normally qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit has passed away, his widow may also be entitled to get some financial assistance to pay for home care if it is required for her.
4. It can take a long time for the application process to be completed.
While most veterans who require home care will need that level of assistance right now, it can take several months, and in some cases almost a year, for the VA to approve somebody for the Aid and Attendance Benefit. While it is a conundrum that a doctor’s recommendation is required, the sooner that you can apply for this pension program, the sooner it will be approved, assuming the veteran qualifies for it.
5. Do not pay for assistance in applying for this program.
You may be approached or find out information that certain financial advisors or lawyers or other professionals can “guarantee” approval for this pension, but no matter how tempting it is, do not pay for assistance. The VA may disqualify certain applicants if they have paid a professional organization or individual for assistance in applying for the program.
One other note: If you don’t think that you would qualify for it because of income, avoid the temptation of hiding assets in order to qualify for the pension. Congress may be taking steps to make that a moot point, anyway.
For more information and to learn about home care for aging Veterans, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075.
