LTC coverage for Vets and Spouse

[mickeyd]

A friend pointed out this article to me today. I had never heard of this benefit for war veterans. Notice that you do not have to be retired military to quality. $23,396 annually is not something to pass up if you qualify.

The Special Pension for Veterans’ Aid and Attendance pays up to $1,644 a month, $19,736 annually, toward assisted living, nursing homes or in-home care for veterans 65 and older who served at least 90 days and one day during wartime — stateside or overseas. Veterans and their spouses can receive up to $23,396 annually and spouses of deceased veterans, $12,681. Yet, an estimated $22 billion a year goes unclaimed, said Don Soard, a volunteer with Operation Veteran Aid in Oklahoma City. In 2007, only 134,000 seniors nationwide received the benefit, which was established in 1952.

http://newsok.com/little-known-benefit-aids-veterans-of-wars/article/3344150

 

[FinallyRetired]

I ran across that about six months ago when I was searching for LTC resources for my MIL.

The reason that $22B a year is unclaimed is that the VA has little publicity about it and, if you do learn about it, they make it almost impossible to apply. I heard from several applicants who said that the VA automatically denies the benefit at the first application, regardless of its validity. You need perseverence, detailed knowledge of the benefit so you can counter the VA, and a good 6 months to a year before they pay, if they pay.

I didn't have the time or the patience to fight the VA on this, because my MIL needed care very soon. So I found a facility in Texas that was able to provide good care at a reasonable cost. Hopefully the process will improve, I'd like to know if anyone has actually gotten the VA to pay.

 

[REWahoo]

Very interesting. I didn't realize this benefit existed.

Here is a website with detailed information: Veterans Administration Aid & Attandance Benefit Program Information

Be sure to note this:

"To qualify financially, an applicant must have less than $80,000 in assets, EXCLUDING their home and vehicles."

And to support what FinallyRetired said above...

"It is hard to speculate on what you will experience while filing for the Aid & Attendance Special Pension. Each case is unique and carries its own set of challenges. One thing you can expect is that it will take between 4-6 months for your application to be processed."

 

[FinallyRetired]

"It is hard to speculate on what you will experience while filing for the Aid & Attendance Special Pension. Each case is unique and carries its own set of challenges. One thing you can expect is that it will take between 4-6 months for your application to be processed."

I've heard 8-12 months is more typical. There's a cottage industry out there of consultants who claim they can shorten the process to 3-4 months. Here's some comments on that, though I'm not advocating the use of a consultant. The fact they exist, however, says something about the difficult of the process -- I understand it's not the application per se, but the supporting documentation.

Using a Consultant to Obtain the Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit

 

[mickeyd]

There's a cottage industry out there of consultants who claim they can shorten the process to 3-4 months.

No doubt that there are a slew of unsuspecting WWII vets still around that may qualify for the benefit, but a sleazy consultant could possibly charge them a bundle for their "services".

 

[youbet]

"To qualify financially, an applicant must have less than $80,000 in assets, EXCLUDING their home and vehicles."

."

In Illinois, that level of wealth puts a couple pretty close to qualifying for Medicaid to pay. By the time the Vet benefit would finally be approved, you'd probably be within Medicaid guidelines.

 

[jug]

I sent in the app for this benefit about a month ago for my FIL, just waiting for it to be processed, just got the acknowledgement letter. Well see what happens.

jug

 

[OAG]

I sent in the app for this benefit about a month ago for my FIL, just waiting for it to be processed, just got the acknowledgement letter. Well see what happens.
jug

I, for one, would appreciate it if you would let us know how it goes - time line and qualifying factors.

 

[jug]

I, for one, would appreciate it if you would let us know how it goes - time line and qualifying factors.

No problem, I have heard have to be under 80k in assets and under about 19K or so in income.

I have also heard that when/if the benefits are granted, it is retroactive to date of filing.

But will fill you guys in as it happens.

jug

 

[FinallyRetired]

No problem, I have heard have to be under 80k in assets and under about 19K or so in income.

I have also heard that when/if the benefits are granted, it is retroactive to date of filing.

But will fill you guys in as it happens.

jug

jug, what kind of documentation did you have to provide? I'd still apply for both my MIL and my mother if there was a chance that the system would actually work.

 

[jug]

jug, what kind of documentation did you have to provide? I'd still apply for both my MIL and my mother if there was a chance that the system would actually work.

Ok, I downloaded some forms, I believe from the VA site and filled them out, essentially threw the kitchen sink at them.

Form 21-526
form 21-4142
form 10-10EC
form 21-0779

They wrote me back saying that if they needed anything else they would ask me for it. They wanted "live" documents with the forms, such as the discharge certificate, but I sent them copies. When they need it, I will send it via fed ex.

hope this gets the ball rolling for you.

Jug

 

[mf15]

I wonder why they would need a discharge certificate it was DD-214, I am sure they have these records. Remember about 3 years ago someone stole a VA computer which contained records. Well I got a letter from the VA telling me that my records may have been on this computer, and I was discharged in 1972. So they still know
who and where you are.
A 1/15 FA,2nd ID
Second to none,first to run. Our motto at the time in Korea.
Old Mike

 

[jug]

I wonder why they would need a discharge certificate it was DD-214, I am sure they have these records. Remember about 3 years ago someone stole a VA computer which contained records. Well I got a letter from the VA telling me that my records may have been on this computer, and I was discharged in 1972. So they still know
who and where you are.
A 1/15 FA,2nd ID
Second to none,first to run. Our motto at the time in Korea.
Old Mike

I would suggest to get another one if you can. My FIL had his burnt up in a fire many years ago, and he was issued a certificate like replacement. It just makes things easier.

I'm dealing with an archaic system, so why they would ask for it is a good question. To make things even worse, the name on his discharge and his current name are different. He changed his name upon discharge in '46, couldn't do me a favor and keep the old name. So I had to send certified copies of that.

Try to get yourself some sort of certificate just to be ready to deal with the insane bureaucratic nonsense that you are apt to get caught up with in the event you need something from VA.

I have the same crap with my father coming down the road, he also spoke of some puter in St. Louis going down, in his mind there is no hope for benies when he needs it. I'll deal with his crap another day.

Nothing like doing the bureaucratic shuffle.

jug

 

[youbet]

Thanks mickeyd!

I just sent this info to my BIL with the request that he read the article and get the required info together now while his mom can help. She doesn't require services yet, but if she has a stroke or (she's 84) and can't help later, it'll be tougher to find everything. FIL (deceased) was an aviator in Africa during WWII.

Edit: Thanks to the others for the additonal info url's. All forwareded to BIL. Now, just need to get DW to whip her brother daily until this is taken care of. Funny how I as son-in-law seem to be most concerned about their mother's well being.......

 

[OAG]

You can order records here for veterans and survivors of veterans: eVetRecs: Request Copies of Veterans Military Personnel Records

 

[Bimmerbill]

Wow, good info. I'm sort of a veteran, but not a full veteran. I have the Vet license plates and qualify for the "gray area" retirement benefits. But I've never had active duty time since I was in the Guard the entire 22 years.

I considered volunteering for a 90+ plus day combat tour just to get the veterans preference for fed jobs, GI Bill, vet tax credit ($500 a year in my town), tricare, and other programs.

 

[OAG]

I considered volunteering for a 90+ plus day combat tour just to get the veterans preference for fed jobs, GI Bill, vet tax credit ($500 a year in my town), tricare, and other programs.

Should not be too hard to do. I have a friend of a friend who is right now in Iraq. He retired as an E-7 about 1990 - must be pushing 55 years old. Got a couple of pictures of him in the Green Zone just the other day. Left his DW and a few kids and just headed over there for about a 6 month tour - actually I believe he has or is trying to extend for another 6 months.

 

[JOHNNIE36]

A friend pointed out this article to me today. I had never heard of this benefit for war veterans. Notice that you do not have to be retired military to quality. $23,396 annually is not something to pass up if you qualify.


http://newsok.com/little-known-benefit-aids-veterans-of-wars/article/3344150

Any exceptions to the age limit? Everybody seems excited about this article but nobody jumped on the 65 year old thingy. I'm not military but SIL is retired Marine, 23 year vet , and on 100% disability. His wife (my daughter) has MS and will surely need some home health care in the future. I'm just wondering about exceptions.

 

[mickeyd]

Any exceptions to the age limit?

None that I'm aware of however, I would not hesitate to contact the VA and dog them until you get a confirmation one way or the other and a citation in writing that you can refer to.

 

[kstock]

I met with someone Friday that helps vets and their spouses obtain the funding. He showed me the application and its many pitfalls. It's not easy to do this alone and I would highly recommend hiring a specialist. The guy I spoke with has a "100% success rate" He did tell me that anyone doing your application MUST WORK WITH VA ACCREDITED ATTORNEYS. Ask them that before you do anything else.