Memorial Day Fox2 News Airs Tips for Veterans and Their Survivors
This past Memorial Day, Fox 2 News reporter Molly Rose interviewed Veteran Home Care’s Senior Communications Director, Janet Jennewein, to shed light on an underutilized VA benefit for wartime veterans and their survivors. As we honor deceased veterans, it’s important to know the VA Aid and Attendance benefit could help their aging widow or widower.
Watch the Memorial Day Fox2 News Segment
Click here to watch the three-minute segment with tips for veterans and their survivors
Read the Transcript from Memorial Day Fox2 Morning News Segment
Molly Rose: And on this Memorial Day, we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country. And of course, that sacrifice can impact their loved ones and family members for so many years to come. There’s help out there and services out there they may not be aware about. This morning we are joined by Janet Jennewein with Veterans Home Care. Janet, thanks for being with us this morning. I know we’re discussing it’s a VA benefits known as Aid and Attendance and a lot of people may not know about this
Janet: You are so correct. So what we want people to know is there’s this underutilized VA benefit called Aid and Attendance. It’s for certain aging wartime veterans. And here’s the kicker, it’s also available for their surviving spouses. It’s called Aid and Attendance because it’s actually for people who need the aid and attendance of another to live safely at home.
Molly Rose: Why is this something that maybe so many people aren’t aware was even an option for them?
Janet: Well, that’s just it. There are so many people who are unaware that they would qualify. And I think one of the reasons people are just unaware is… really, there’s lots of reasons. Number one of is for so many people, the VA is a wonderful organization. So many families rely on it. But you have to understand, Aid and Attendance is just a small part of what the VA does. And that’s why we want to get the word out.
Molly Rose: Talk to us a little bit about what is this money used for? Are we talking in-home care? Are we talking somebody could go to a facility where they can stay? What are the options with it?
Janet: That’s a great question. You’re correct. So this benefit can be used for a variety of things. But the important thing is to understand that this benefit can be used for things like in-home care that Medicare doesn’t cover. So, we call it help with “activities of daily living.” Okay. So it’s things like bathing dressing, or moving around the house. It can be medication reminders, even laundry or light housekeeping. So those are the kind of things personal care it can pay for now. Our company Veterans Home Care–we offer our VetAssist Program. We are an ideal organization if you want to use that benefit for in-home custodial care. But you know, you can use this also for assisted living, adult daycare… (We can also help with adult daycare.) You can use it for a variety of things.
Molly Rose: As we wrap up here, is there a website or way people can contact you for more Information if they want to see if they are eligible?
Janet: Absolutely. There’s lots of information on our web site. Our web site is www.veteranshome care.com.
Molly Rose: Fantastic.
Janet: And we have eligibility information–who qualifies. It’s not for everybody. It’s for certain wartime veterans. You must have served at least one day during a VA official wartime. You must have had 90 days of active duty. But here’s the really important take away. Dad could have served state-side and he would still qualify. This is not (just) for someone with a service-connected disability.*
Molly Rose: Janet, thank you so much for this great information out there. Getting the word out about the services. We appreciate your time. And of course, we’ll have more information and that website linked on our website.
*For clarity: Aid and Attendance is a VA benefit or monthly payment that can be added to a VA pension (for veterans who did not incur a service-connected disability) or added to VA compensation payments (for veterans who were disabled as a result of military service.) Most know about the VA’s compensation payments. Many are unaware there’s a tax-free pension available to certain wartime veterans.
Contact Veterans Home Care to Learn More
For more information about getting a VA benefit to cover the cost of in-home caregivers, adult daycare and the latest medical alert technology, call Veterans Home Care at 888-314-6075 or email info@veteranshomecare.com.
To join Veterans Home Care’s VetAssist provider network click here, email info@veteranshomecare.com or call 314-416-2444
