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Veterans Administration May Have Money for You

By admin - Posted on 20 May 2010

VA Aid & Attendance

The Veterans Administration has a benefit for senior veterans and surviving spouses who require the aid of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature. The program is called AID AND ATTENDANCE PENSION (A&A). As with most governmental programs, it can be confusing or needlessly difficult. Provided here is a simple overview of this program and some valuable contact information for further information.

“Veterans have earned this benefit by their service to our nation,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. “We want to ensure that every veteran or surviving spouse who qualifies has the chance to apply.”

Basic Equation

Monthly VA benefit =
Monthly Maximum A&A available amount
minus montly net income.

The trick here is understanding what is your A&A available amount and how do you calculate your net income.
If your net income is greater than the A&A available amount, you will not qualify for any amount

How much money is available each month?

$1,949 for a qualifying veteran and spouse.

$1,644 for a qualifying veteran

$1,056 for a surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran

How do I calculate net income?

This equals your total monthly income from all sources minus 95% of qualifying expenses. This includes pensions, annuities, social security, and any other retirement income. If you already receive Medicaid income you will most likely not qualify.

What expenses qualify?

These expenses include all expenses prescribed and/or directed by a physician. It also includes expenses that you require on a daily basis for care. This can include bathing, dressing, and any other function that requires another individual’s aide. You can be in your own home or an assisted living facility. This can also include transportation expenses necessary to leave your home and return.

Simple example
- A qualifying Veteran and spouse could receive $899 dollars extra a month from the VA A&A Pension. Below is the amount and calculation.

Monthly Income of $2000
Available monthly benefit $1949
Qualifying Expenses of $1000 thus $950 is calculated (95% of 1000)
The math -- Net income is $1050 ($2000 minus $950)
Resultant benefit is $899 (Available $1949 minus Net Income $1050)

How to Qualify?

Veteran must have served 90 consecutive days and at least 1 day of active duty during a declared
war - WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Gulf War
Veteran and/or spouse who requires care
Total countable assets excluding home and car may not exceed $80,000 - Because there
is no look back verification of assets, one can restructure assets on Monday and apply for the benefit on Tuesday.
Completed application submitted to Office of Veteran Affairs.
And an annual submittal each January of a EVR (Eligibility Verification Report) - This report assures that as income and expenses change, the amount of benefit adjusts appropriately.

How does one apply and what is necessary to Apply?

One must apply with the Department of Veterans Affairs - VA Form 21-526
for Veteran or VA Form 21-534 for Surviving Spouse
Proof of Discharge or Separation from service. - For assistance in securing
these papers (DD-214), contact www.vetrec.archives.gov
Proof of Income
Proof of qualifying expenses

Summation

To accomplish this may seem to be a daunting task at first and may take some time to complete (mostly waiting) but it can be very financially beneficial to those who qualify. As Chris Ocker of the law office of Douglas F. Ocker & Associates claims “This is Win-Win legislation! That is why I do this type of work!” Yes, there is money out there waiting to be claimed and only about 25% who qualify ever apply. Don’t allow your earned money go unclaimed.

Who can provide Further Information?

Chris Ocker – Senior Veteran Advisor