Veterans Home Care Benefits – What Paperwork Will Your Senior Loved One Need?
To get just about anything done in modern society requires certain documentation. Going to the hospital for a medical emergency usually requires proof of identification of some sort. It also requires insurance card information, if available. For veterans who may require some type of care at home, they may be eligible for financial assistance to pay for it.
There are numerous pension programs designed to help younger and aging veterans receive the type of care they may require. One of those is known as the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit. This pension program can provide funds every month to a qualifying veteran to pay for home care. They can hire any type of caregiver they want, including a family member, but in order to receive this pension they need a doctor’s recommendation stipulating the necessity for home care. Then it’s different for veterans under 65, though. For those veterans, they need to have been injured and disabled during their time of active duty service.
Now, the documents that a veteran may be required to possess and show to the Veterans Administration can include their service records, birth certificate, driver’s license, Social Security card, and many other documents.
They may be required to show financial statements as well, including a title or deed to their home, car, or other personal possessions that may be considered assets. The reason for this is the senior veteran will need to fall under a certain financial threshold with regard to income and assets.
There are numerous unscrupulous legal and accounting firms and individuals advertising their services for elderly veterans in applying for the Aid and Attendance Benefit. These professionals can move assets around and hide them from the VA to make it appear as though the veteran doesn’t quite have more than the minimum allowed.
It may be tempting to contact one of these firms or individuals to receive their services, but in the event the veteran would qualify for it based on their service and requirements, paying for outside assistance could make them ineligible to receive any pension from the VA through the Aid and Attendance program.
The first step any elderly veteran should take when looking into applying for this pension is to contact their local VA representative to find out if they qualify and what specific documentation may be necessary in the application process. Keep in mind that due to personnel issues and understaffing, it could take nine months or longer to find out if the veteran qualifies for this pension and begins receiving financial assistance to pay for home care that may be absolutely necessary at this time.
For more information and to learn about Veterans Home Care Benefits, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075.
