Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military. Veterans Day is intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated and to underscore the fact that all those who served have protected the freedoms that we enjoy every day.
There are more than 11 million adults age 60 and older alive today who have served in the military. Older veterans face a variety of challenges including health, financial and housing challenges. In the spirit of caring for veterans in our community, this month’s column focuses on a little-known government benefit that can help qualified veterans pay the expenses of caregiving when they become too frail to live without help. This VA benefit program is often referred to as “A & A,” which stands for “Aid and Attendance and Housebound Improved Pension Benefits.”
Under this program, a qualified veteran can receive up to $1,881 per month and a qualified veteran with a spouse can receive up to $2,230 per month. For many families paying for senior care, this income can make the difference between comfort and hardship. “A & A” can pay for the cost of daily senior care, whether it’s provided at home, in an assisted living home or in a nursing home. The program has been around for over 60 years.
So, what are the eligibility requirements for “A & A”? Any veteran with 90 consecutive days of active duty and at least 1 day of duty during a period of war is eligible to apply. Eligibility does not depend on having a service-related injury. The veteran (or surviving spouse) must need assistance to perform daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, going to the toilet, or ambulating.
A medical evaluation is necessary to confirm that the veteran or spouse really needs the assistance. In December 2018, the VA set a clear upper limit for applicants’ net worth of $123, 600 not including the applicant’s automobile, personal effects and residence. According to http://www.VeteranAid.org, the VA also implemented a three-year lookback period to see if assets were sold below market value or gifted in a way that reduced net worth below the upper eligibility limit. There is also an upper limit on monthly countable income minus expenses such as unreimbursed medical bills.
Applying for this program is time-consuming. There are three main steps in the application process: gather the necessary documents, fill out the correct form to submit to the VA with the necessary documents, and mail your application form and all the documents to the correct pension processing center. You must fill out an application and sign a consent to release your information to the VA. Your DD-214 must be attached. You will also need the medical evaluation from your doctor, a list of current medical issues, a social security statement, banking information, a list of the doctors and hospitals you have visited in the last year, and information about your net worth and net income, along with out-of-pocket medical expenses. If in a skilled nursing facility or an assisted living community, you may need a statement of occupancy.
For many applicants it takes roughly nine months to get approved, however, do not let this discourage you from applying. And a warning: there are scammers looking to “help” you fill out your paperwork and invest money in their annuity, so you meet the asset qualifications. Their help may cost you more than you realize, so be careful.
Please visit http://www.veteranaid.org/faq.php to learn more about the Aid & Attendance program.
This Veteran’s Day, we honor and salute all of our veterans. Thank you for your protection, selflessness, and dedication to our country.
The mission of the Alaska Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is to provide resident centered advocacy designed to protect the rights, health, safety and welfare of Alaskans living in a skilled nursing facility or assisted living home. Please feel free to contact our office if you are interested in becoming a volunteer Long Term Care Ombudsman, 907-334-4480 or 800-730-6393.
