We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our nation with courage, dedication, and unwavering commitment. We thank you for your sacrifices and for protecting our freedoms. In this article, we will cover some of the details about the benefits veterans earned and deserve through the sacrifices they made to serve our country.
Basic Veterans Pension
The VA pension is a needs-based, tax-free monetary benefit designed to provide financial assistance to veterans and their families. It is important to note that VA pensions are different from VA disability compensation, which is provided to veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a VA pension, a veteran must meet the following criteria:
- Service Requirements: For veterans who entered active duty before September 8, 1980, they are required to have served at least 90 days of active military service, with at least one day during a period of war. For veterans who entered active duty on or after September 8, 1980, the requirement is 24 months of continuous service or the full period for which they were called to active duty, with at least one day during a period of war.
- Age or Disability: Veterans must be at least 65 years old or permanently and totally disabled. This is defined as being unable to engage in substantial gainful employment due to a disability that is not expected to improve.
- Discharge: Veterans must have received a discharge other than dishonorable.
- Financial Requirements: Veterans must have limited or no income and meet specific income and net worth limits established by the VA. These limits are adjusted annually in line with the cost of living and also depend on the number of dependents in the household.
Pension Amount and Application
The pension amount a veteran receives is determined by the difference between their countable income and the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR). The VA calculates the pension benefit on a 12-month basis and pays it in monthly installments. The MAPR is adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases.
To apply for a VA pension, veterans should complete VA Form 21P-527EZ along with supporting documentation, such as discharge papers, income and net worth information, and documentation of medical expenses. The application can be submitted online through the VA website, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office.
Additional VA Benefits for Healthcare Costs
The VA offers additional benefits for veterans who need extra help covering the costs of their healthcare. These benefits are called the VA Aid and Attendance benefit and Housebound Allowance.
Aid & Attendance Benefit
The Aid & Attendance (A&A) Benefit is a non-service-connected pension benefit offered by the VA to eligible veterans and their surviving spouses. It helps cover long-term care costs for those needing assistance with daily living activities due to physical or cognitive impairments. The A&A Benefit is paid in addition to the basic VA pension and increases the total monthly amount received from the VA.
To be eligible for the A&A Benefit, a veteran must meet the same requirements for the VA pension but also meet certain disability requirements. They must require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, eating, or mobility, due to a physical or cognitive impairment. This may be certified by a physician or demonstrated through the need for assisted living or care in a nursing home.
The A&A Benefit can be used to cover a wide range of long-term care expenses, including in-home care, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult day care, and other related costs. The benefit is paid directly to the veteran to cover care expenses.
Housebound Allowance
The Housebound Allowance is similar to the Aid & Attendance benefit but is designed for those who are mostly confined to their home due to a permanent disability that prevents them from leaving the house for regular daily activities.
It’s important to note that the Aid and Attendance benefit and the Housebound Allowance are mutually exclusive, meaning you cannot get both of these benefits at the same time. You will have to choose one or the other depending on your circumstances.
To apply for the Aid and Attendance Benefit or the Housebound Allowance, submit VA Form 21-2680 or have a similar document completed by a medical professional. This form can be submitted along with the application for the basic VA pension.
Veteran Directed Care Program
If you live at home or are in an independent living community, there is another benefit for veterans that you may want to consider.
The Veteran Directed Care program is designed to offer veterans in need of nursing home-level care the opportunity to receive that care in their homes or in a non-supportive, independent living community. This program is available in 42 states, including Arizona and is open to all U.S. veterans enrolled in the VA health care system who require a nursing home level of care.
It’s important to note that the Veteran Directed Care program does not cover personal care in assisted living communities. However, personal care provided by outside caregivers in independent living communities is usually considered eligible.
Benefits of the Veteran Directed Care Program
One of the main benefits of the Veteran Directed Care program is that it provides veterans with a budget to choose their own care providers instead of receiving care services from the VA health care system directly. This allows veterans and their families to prioritize their own care needs and select the most suitable care providers for their situation. In some cases, family members can be paid for the care they provide, making it a valuable option for many families.
To participate in the Veteran Directed Care program, veterans work with their family members and an advisor, usually from the state, to develop what’s called a “Care Plan.” This plan outlines the necessary services, supplies, and estimated budget required for the veteran to live at home or in the community instead of a nursing home. The plan is then submitted for approval to the administering agency, which reviews it and collaborates with the veteran to make any necessary modifications. Once the plan is approved, the veteran will receive a spending budget.
With the approved Care Plan and budget, veterans can hire and schedule care providers, service providers, and purchase necessary supplies. If a veteran lacks the cognitive capacity to take on this role, an authorized representative may do so on their behalf. It is common for veterans to hire family members, including spouses, neighbors, or friends to provide them with personal care.
The Veteran Directed Care program covers a wide range of services and goods, such as adult day care, caregiver education and training, home modifications, health maintenance costs, personal care services, respite care, and transportation.
The monthly budget allocated for a veteran’s care depends on their individual requirements, which are determined during the development of the Care Plan.
It is important to be aware that the preparation and approval process for a Care Plan in Arizona may take several months before care services can be received. No payments can be made until the Care Plan has been approved.
Learn More About Veterans Benefits
To find out more about the benefits discussed in this article and eligibility requirements, we recommend visiting the VA website at VA.gov or visiting your local VA office.
Watch our recent YouTube video that summarizes the Veterans Benefits detailed above:
No comment yet, add your voice below!