I found this section about VA here on this website. Hopefully it will answer your question or lead you to where you can get the answer. https://www.agingcare.com/Veterans-Assistance
Yes it does if your father retired from the military or was in the military during the time of the WWll war. I got my father help from the military a few years ago and now he receives a check for $2150.00 a month then we also use Medicaide for $1,020.00 and combined with his Social Security it covers mostly all of it on assisted living in a place that is about or under $4000.00 a month. I am not sure of the other wars but check and see and also all doctor visits at the VA are free and they pay for all his meds and briefs and hearing aids etc. They are wonderful for my father. Thank God I looked into this and had a real helpful person at the VA who knew their stuff. Good Luck.
The short answer, yes they do. The details are within a few criteria that include 3 main factors: 1) did they serve 90-days of active duty with 1 day, yes 1 day of that time being during an "active war-time"? Does not have to have seen combat, just active duty. 2) do they meet financial considerations? Roughly under $2K / month income (minus health care costs) and an asset limit less than $80K but that's a sliding scale based on age. 3) is there demonstrated need. If they are in assisted living my presumption is they have the need.
Keep in mind it is estimated that only about 5% of eligible veterans know about this benefit, so anyone reading this tell all your military friends to investigate this. They served for us, our civil duty to tell them.
The name of the benefit, or pension is Aid and Attemdance. There is more info on the VA page including the details for 1, 2, 3 above. You have to look for it, but it's there. http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/aid_attendance_housebound.asp Surviving spouse can also be eligible. A worthwhile read on VA website for all. Good to have either the VSO veteran Service Officer for your county or a company like Veterans Care Coordination Help dot the "i"s and cross the "t"s since the application has to be correct or it gets rejected.
The VA will pay for what is called aid and attendance benefits. I recently applied for these benefits for my mom and she started receiving them 3 months later. I found going to the VA office of great benefit. I met a rep we got to know each other and then the rest was handled thru email and phone calls. I personally think a one time face to face meeting gets them to work with you better because they actually know who you are not just a voice on the other end of the phone. I hope the best for you, the VA is a wonderful help it just takes a bit of time setting it up but its well worth it. Ruth Anne
If you have an assisted living place picked out, they often will help families with the details and paperwork. It's to their advantage to know there's money coming in to pay. Plus they most likely have contacts at the local VA. Best of luck to you! It might seem overwhelming at first, but it's definitely worth the time if you meet the qualifications.
I applied for survivor benefits for my mother with the VA. My father had been a Marine in Guadalcanal and my mother wound up receiving $1149 per month which HAD to be used for her care and later on I had to prove that the money was used exclusively for her assisted living bill. You have to keep very good records for the VA Admin. Also, they gave my mother retroactive benefits going back to the day she was first admitted into assisted living. It's worth applying. Good luck!
My mother as well was/is still receiving the $1149 a month and I was just appointed the fiduciary to administer the benefit. Had to open a separate account for direct deposit of the benefit as well. My mother was just admitted to AL in the last month and she is also on Medicaid. I was told by the VA field rep who interviewed me and my mother that the benefit will likely drop to $90 once the paperwork all catches up at the VA. At that point, it is considered a "Personal Care Pension" and cannot be accessed for any other purpose other than that (i.e., personal needs, haircuts, sundries, etc.). The link in the first post provides good info and, as everyone else is saying, it is well worth the time to work this through. Good luck!
Know that the income requirements will limit those who will get Aid and Attendance. It is a long process, but with VA Secretary McDonald's new customer service implementations, I have seen real progress with the VA and "Bob" as he likes to be called is really making some huge changes. I met him while he was visiting the Phoenix VA and asked him why all the computer data bases were not all connected with each VA clinic. That is one of the changes he made in our VA system and I am so glad I got to speak with him!
Is it true that the VA will demand repayment for the $ they pay for the aid and attendance after your loved one has passed away? I read somewhere that will take possession of the deceased house and sell it to get the amount they paid out.
Hello to all! I am rather dumbfounded that some of you who posted in response to this question have gotten the A and A for your loved one after only three months. Our journey has been quite different and completely frustrating one. My husband applied for his mother over two years ago. All the paperwork, duly catalouged and filled out , was mailed to the proper office. My mother in law was basically indigent, no property or assets of any kind. Big warning here! Make sure you have them certified at the Post Office with a return receipt---my husband did not do this and I was livid when I found out. One year later, still waiting , so I have him go down to the office in the area where we live to find out. The clerk there says they never got anything from him. He refiled for the benefits that day and we did get a letter over six months ago that this time, the paperwork was received and will be reviewed. We still have not heard one word on the matter. My mother in law has since passed away, last July. I feel we really got a raw deal and they just wait for someone aged (she was 90 years old) to die. Does my husband have any recourse now? Very angry over this entire episode and I bet some clerk at the VA when they saw the paperwork had no certifiying proof, just tossed them. A very lousy and trying experience. If you have any ideas or info on what to do now, please tell us. Thanks and be well.
Princess7, i do not know if it will help but i would make a be line to my state represenatives office like now. There is no excuse for what happened to you. Do not make phone calls show up in person, that is i believe why i got moms benefits so quickly. Face to face. Make your state rep responsible for an answer. Do hope you get one. Ruth Anne
I've been looking into the Aid and Attendance for my parents. They meet all the criteria, service record, income, etc. However, in my reading it states that one of them must be currently receiving assistance on a daily basis to apply. So, can they apply for Aid and Attendance if they are not currently receiving any assistance. The family has been helping them.
This VA benefit, known as Aid and Attendance, can definitely be a valuable option for G.I.'s and their families. However, responsible adults need to keep in mind that Assisted Living Corporations are in business to make a profit. By encouraging occupancy by veterans such facilities have guaranteed income. It is easier then to raise rates, knowing that the Federal government will simply pick up the tab under the Military or V.A. budget. - no matter how high the charges may become! Already, this is squeezing out occupancy affordability by non-veteran elders who are also in need of such assistance. Additionally, it is worth noting that Assisted Living facilities are NOT regulated like nursing homes are, relative to the care they provide. AARP has recently published some cautionary articles on this subject. Contact your Senators and Representatives to establish standards for the quality of care provided in Assisted Living facilities; to cap profits and payments to administrators; and to disconnect the facility from any and all financial interests in a pharmaceutical provider - (discouraging the over-medicating, and over-charging of residents for their prescriptions). Continuation of such a beneficial program for veterans requires us to think beyond ourselves and take action to make sure responsible safeguards are put in place.
@debdaughter...yes my parents, my Dad is 92 and WWII Vet, my Mom is 86 and disabled ..they will soon need in home care (unless something drastic happens and one of them has to go into nursing home/assisted living. We (their children) have been helping them..but see the need for more care. So you are saying I can draw up an agreement ...should I talk to a VA representative?
I think my Dad qualifies for Aid as a WWII veteran but Clarity is needed on "Active dudy" He inlisted and was in gunner pilot training and had just finished when the war ended. I believe he was in for more that 2 years but never was in combat. He was at several different bases and earned his wings ect. He doesn't think he qualifies but I do. We live in East TN near Knoxville and the closest VA office is in Nashville 3 hours drive. He is 93 tomorrow and won't able to travel there. His income is very small from SS so I think he qualifies there but he owns his house. Is there any other income he can receive other than assisted living?
mamavic, are you talking about the actual federal regional office? because there should be a state VA office in every county - wish we were coming that way this year - like we normally do this time of year - I'd check real sure for you but make sure; otherwise understand; my dad didn't travel at that age, either, though he might not would have to anyway. Owning his own house, unless it's a real mansion wouldn't affect anything. I understand where your dad's coming from but pretty sure (I'll doublecheck but you can look all this stuff up online) that as long as you served in wartime - not war zone; situation with hub's uncle, though I keep forgetting it, so used to my dad actually going, that same thing - wait, was your dad never sent overseas at all? might have been different WWII, trying to remember, pretty sure dad ended up going to Japan and know hub's uncle as well even after ended but he's a Korean vet but let me check for sure myself
but mamavic, that may not be the issue; I just realized you're not the same one who was asking about assisted living; is your dad needing help, other than financial or is he needing that to pay for help?
@MamaVic...yes, Knoxville does have Veterans services...just google Knoxville and Veterans Benefits... I did and got a lot of contacts (I live in Knoxville).
Kashi, reason I asked if her dad goes to senior center, when I googled it saw where they're actually going out to them to help with this very thing - thought that was just wonderful
My 88 y/o mom was recently declined Aid + Attendance benefits due to her social security and pension benefit being $13K a yr. However she has been in an Assisted Living for about a year paying $3700/mo. I am planning to appeal the VA decision and was wondering how difficult it is and if I should look for someone to assist with the process. As my mother has very limited funds, she cannot afford any expensive services. Thanks for any input.
There's also the Veterans Benefits Guide https://www.agingcare.com/eBook/Veterans-Benefits?ebs=rtfhg
1) did they serve 90-days of active duty with 1 day, yes 1 day of that time being during an "active war-time"? Does not have to have seen combat, just active duty.
2) do they meet financial considerations? Roughly under $2K / month income (minus health care costs) and an asset limit less than $80K but that's a sliding scale based on age.
3) is there demonstrated need. If they are in assisted living my presumption is they have the need.
Keep in mind it is estimated that only about 5% of eligible veterans know about this benefit, so anyone reading this tell all your military friends to investigate this. They served for us, our civil duty to tell them.
The name of the benefit, or pension is Aid and Attemdance. There is more info on the VA page including the details for 1, 2, 3 above. You have to look for it, but it's there. http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/aid_attendance_housebound.asp
Surviving spouse can also be eligible. A worthwhile read on VA website for all. Good to have either the VSO veteran Service Officer for your county or a company like Veterans Care Coordination Help dot the "i"s and cross the "t"s since the application has to be correct or it gets rejected.
Good luck.
I am rather dumbfounded that some of you who posted in response to this question have gotten the A and A for your loved one after only three months.
Our journey has been quite different and completely frustrating one. My husband applied for his mother over two years ago. All the paperwork, duly catalouged and filled out , was mailed to the proper office. My mother in law was basically indigent, no property or assets of any kind. Big warning here! Make sure you have them certified at the Post Office with a return receipt---my husband did not do this and I was livid when I found out. One year later, still waiting , so I have him go down to the office in the area where we live to find out. The clerk there says they never got anything from him. He refiled for the benefits that day and we did get a letter over six months ago that this time, the paperwork was received and will be reviewed. We still have not heard one word on the matter. My mother in law has since passed away, last July. I feel we really got a raw deal and they just wait for someone aged (she was 90 years old) to die. Does my husband have any recourse now? Very angry over this entire episode and I bet some clerk at the VA when they saw the paperwork had no certifiying proof, just tossed them. A very lousy and trying experience. If you have any ideas or info on what to do now, please tell us. Thanks and be well.
Additionally, it is worth noting that Assisted Living facilities are NOT regulated like nursing homes are, relative to the care they provide. AARP has recently published some cautionary articles on this subject.
Contact your Senators and Representatives to establish standards for the quality of care provided in Assisted Living facilities; to cap profits and payments to administrators; and to disconnect the facility from any and all financial interests in a pharmaceutical provider - (discouraging the over-medicating, and over-charging of residents for their prescriptions).
Continuation of such a beneficial program for veterans requires us to think beyond ourselves and take action to make sure responsible safeguards are put in place.