Senior Veterans and Their Spouses Benefits for Assisted Living or Home Care Costs

Published: 2015-02-25 - Updated: 2016-11-07
Author: Independence - Veterans Benefits Professionals | Contact: 1 985-231-0470

Main Digest

One of the most widely unknown benefits available to our Senior Veterans is The Department of Veterans Affairs' Aid & Attendance Program.

This program was established in 1952 by an Act of Congress under section 38 USC. It is a mandatory pension not subject to discretionary budget cuts. This benefit is designed to reimburse Veterans and their surviving spouses for expenses associated with assistance with activities of daily living due to non service related disabilities. This expense can be incurred at home or as part of an assisted living facility's services.

A person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field. Military veterans often receive special treatment in their respective countries due to the sacrifices they made during wars. Different countries handle this differently: some openly support veterans through government programs, while others ignore them. Veterans are also subject to illnesses directly related to their military service such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). War veterans are generally treated with great respect and honor for their contribution to the world and country by their own nationals.

There are three general qualifications to be considered for this program (Military, Financial, Medical).

• The military qualifications include and honorable discharge, 90 days active duty with at least one day during a war period.
• Financial qualifications include a limit on assets (excluding the personal residence and auto) and an income to medical expense ratio.
• Medical requirements include a documented need for assistance with activities of daily living.

The VA qualification process can be challenging and time consuming, particularly in this season of life. Independence, The Veterans Benefits Professionals, a private company announces three services to help navigate this process.

CONSULTING:

The VA Aid & Attendance benefit is a reimbursement for expenses associated with assistance with activities of daily living. This service is designed for Veterans or surviving spouses who have financial resources to meet expenses before being reimbursed.

USVETINHOME:

A service for those who would qualify for reimbursement but do not have the resources to spend now and be reimbursed later. This service allows care to begin now (in home only) for those would otherwise not be able to qualify.

APPEALS FOR CLAIMS:

Many Veterans have applied for benefits and have been denied for various reasons including improper documentation. Our VA accredited agents review the claim and submit correct documentation to address the reasons for denial.

Independence's team of VA accredited agents, with over 15 years of experience, considers it a privilege to serve our Veterans.

Learn more about Independence The Veterans Benefits Professionals at www.independence.care or by calling 504-231-0470.

Quick Facts:

• There are currently over 2 million female veterans in the United States.
• In the United States, Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11 every year, the same day that World War I hostilities formally ended (at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month).
• As of September 2014, there are about 2.7 million American veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (compared to 2.6 million Vietnam veterans who fought in Vietnam; there are 8.2 million "Vietnam Era Veterans" (personnel who served anywhere during any time of the Vietnam War)

Statistics

• Nearly 10 million veterans are age 65 or older.
• Veterans make up 12% of the adult homeless population.
• Over 260,000 veterans from OIF and OEF so far have been diagnosed with TBI.
• The unemployment rate of post-9/11 veterans (Gulf War-era II veterans) is 6.2%.
• 3 states are home to more than a million veterans: California (1.8 million), Florida (1.5 million), and Texas (1.7 million).
• Many homeless veterans end up living on the streets for 8 or 9 times the length of their deployments.
• 70% of homeless veterans suffer from substance abuse, while 50% experience mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which makes it harder to maintain relationships and hold down a job.
• According to RAND, at least 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have PTSD and/or Depression. (Military counselors I have interviewed state that, in their opinion, the percentage of veterans with PTSD is much higher; the number climbs higher when combined with TBI.)

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Cite This Page (APA): Independence - Veterans Benefits Professionals. (2015, February 25). Senior Veterans and Their Spouses Benefits for Assisted Living or Home Care Costs. Disabled World. Retrieved September 26, 2021 from www.disabled-world.com/news/veterans/spouses.php