Kennewick Veterans’ Benefits/Aid & Attendance Lawyers
There is an important benefit for veterans or the surviving spouses of veterans who require financial help to offset the cost of their care. Unfortunately, this benefit is often overlooked. The majority of veterans who meet the financial requirements qualify for the pension if they are in need of assistance. The Aid and Attendance benefit can help offset the cost of care in an assisted living facility, nursing home, adult home, or within their own residence.
The eligibility requirements for the Aid and Assistance benefit changed drastically in 2018. It is for this reason that it is so critical to speak to a Kennewick veterans’ benefits/Aid & Assistance lawyer who can provide the legal advice you need.
Who is Eligible for the Aid and Attendance Benefit?
The individuals eligible for the VA’s Special Pension with Aid and Attendance benefit are outlined under federal law. Both veterans and surviving spouses are eligible for this special pension. The disabilities outlined under the statute are as follows:
- Nursing home patients who require care on a long-term basis for a disability,
- Individuals who are bed-ridden, or who have suffered from a significant disability and live in a family home, independent living community, adult family home, or assisted-living facility and who require the regular help of other individuals to help them with bathing, eating, dressing, undressing, and hygienic needs,
- People who are classified as being unemployable due to a disability, and
- People who are legally blind.
How to Qualify for the Aid and Attendance Benefit
In addition to being available to only certain individuals, there are other criteria a person must meet to qualify for the aid and benefit, as well. These include:
- Veterans must have been in active service for at least 90 days, with at least one of those days being during a time of war,
- Veterans must have received a general discharge or an honorable discharge,
- Surviving spouses are eligible if they were still married to the veteran at the time of the veteran’s death,
- The applicant must medically qualify and have a doctor’s order recognizing a need for medical assistance of another individual on a regular basis,
- Claimants must also meet financial requirements, earning an annual income lower than $123,600 in combined countable assets,
- Claimants must have non transferable assets within the previous three years to minimize their net worth for the purposes of obtaining the benefit, and
- Individuals do not qualify if they are receiving government assistance such as Medicaid or other subsidized programs.
Our Veterans’ Benefits/Aid and Attendance Lawyer in Kennewick Can Determine if You Qualify
Veterans’ benefits are very important, but they are hard to qualify for and are often overlooked by the people who need them. At Moulton Law Offices, P.S, our Kennewick veterans’ benefits/Aid and Attendance lawyer can determine if you are eligible and help you through the process so you obtain the benefits you are rightfully entitled to. Call us now at 1-509-328-2150, #9090 or contact us online to book an appointment and to learn more.
