One of the most valuable benefits available to veterans is, sadly, also one of the most underutilized. The Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit can help eligible veterans, and the widowed spouses of eligible veterans, obtain tax-free assistance to pay for long-term care.
Through Aid and Attendance, an eligible veteran can receive over $25,000 a year for assistance with medical expenses and long-term care. An eligible veteran’s widowed spouse can receive over $13,000 per year. This money can be used to pay anyone, including the veteran’s children, for home care. It can also be used to pay for professional care in the home, assisted living, nursing home care, prescription drugs, insurance premiums, and more.
To qualify for Aid and Attendance, a veteran must be at least 65 years of age and/or unemployable. He or she must require assistance with activities involved in daily living. In addition, the veteran must have served at least 90 days on active duty, with at least one of those days occurring during a time of war, and received a discharge other than dishonorable.
Certain financial guidelines established by the Veterans Administration must also be met. If you have too many assets to qualify for Aid and Attendance, we may be able to structure your estate in such a way that you will become eligible.
This is a complicated area of the law. Veterans deserve to have someone who focuses on veterans benefits evaluate their situation and help obtain all of the benefits to which they are entitled. Attorney Esther Acosta is accredited by the Veterans Administration. She has extensive experience guiding veterans through the VA maze and obtaining benefits on their behalf. Veterans, thank you for your service; we welcome the opportunity to serve you in return.
We invite you to contact us at your earliest convenience to discuss your unique needs and goals.