There’s a common misconception among some veterans that applying for various pensions could cause them to lose eligibility for Medicaid or other financial supports. For this reason, there are too many veterans out there who have avoided looking into the Aid and Attendance Benefit or Homebound pensions.
Considering the long-term costs.
Before veterans look into applying for a certain type of pension, they look at every factor. They look at how it could impact their perceived or reported income, how that could impact the amount of Medicaid or Medicare support they could receive, and whether or not they would suddenly become ineligible for a more lucrative pension they are already receiving.
When a veteran is disabled or has reached a certain age and is beginning to struggle with their own basic care, having the right support is absolutely crucial. Some of these veterans could benefit from a home care aide, but if they can’t pay for a caregiver on their own, and they assume the Aid and Attendance Benefit would make them ineligible to receive
Medicaid benefits for other health care services, they might not apply for it.
Applying for and receiving the Aid and Attendance Benefit will not affect other government support.
This pension is independent of other programs. In order to qualify, a veteran must be able to prove home care is necessary, have limited income and assets (resources), and be considered a ‘wartime veteran.’
If a veteran served at least one day active duty during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, their minimum time of service needs to be 90 days. If they served any time during the Gulf War, their minimum time of service needs to have been two years.
A veteran who qualifies for this pension may also be eligible to receive financial support if a dependent, such as a spouse or disabled adult child, requires home care support services. The amount of money a veteran may be eligible to receive through the VA through the Aid and Attendance Benefit will vary depending on many factors, including their service, eligibility, need, and so on.
If a veteran is avoiding applying for the Aid and Attendance Benefit because of a misplaced notion they could lose support from some other federal program, they should be encouraged to apply as soon as possible. It could take many months for the approval process, and if the veteran needs help now, there is really no time to waste.
Our VetAssist® Program can help you apply for the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit and access the home care you need. For more information and to learn about The VetAssist Program, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075.
