While long-term care can be an effective solution as you age, it is unfortunately quite expensive. However, if you served in the armed forces and meet certain criteria, you may be eligible to file an Aid and Attendance Benefit Application that can help you cover your cost of long term care. Firstly, what is an Aid and Attendance Benefit Application?
How an Aid and Attendance Benefit Application Can Help You For Long-Term Care Needs:
Aid and Attendance benefits are designed for wartime veterans and their surviving spouses that are over the age of 65. If you meet these and certain other criteria, you may be eligible to file an Aid and Attendance benefit Application which will help you get this tax-free benefit. The purpose of this benefit is to give financial assistance to help with the cost of long-term care. The veteran or their surviving spouse must need help with at least two activities of daily living such as getting dressed and undressed, bathing, going to the restroom, meals, etc.
There are several different Aid and Attendance Benefit Application amounts depending on the veteran or their spouse’s situation, and they are as follows: surviving spouse ($1,478 a month), single veteran ($2,300 a month), married veteran ($2,727 a month), and two married veterans ($3,649) a month. Additionally, if a veteran is in good health but their spouse needs assistance, the veteran can qualify for something called Income Improvement in the amount of $1,750 a month.
It is important to note that in order to successfully file an Aid and Attendance Benefit Application, the veteran must not currently be receiving 100% VA disability.
As mentioned, the veteran must have served during wartime to successfully file an Aid and Attendance Benefit Application. Let’s define wartime. The dates for wars are as follows: World War II (December 7, 1941-December 31, 1946), Korean Conflict (June 27, 1950-January 31, 1955), Vietnam War Era (February 28, 1961-May 7, 1975 for veterans who served near or in Vietnam during that period, for all others it is August 5, 1964-May 7, 1975), and the Gulf War (August 2, 1990-current).
It is important to note that an Aid and Attendance Benefit Application is beneficial for individuals in assisted living facilities but not for individuals in skilled nursing facilities. The reason for this is that when an individual is in a skilled nursing facility, the benefit amount reduces to about $90, which is payable to the facility. However, benefits received from filing an Aid and Attendance Benefit Application will remain the full amount for assisted living facilities.
Final Words:
Platinum Benefit Services has been obtaining Medicaid approvals for our clients for over 27 years and has obtained over 14,000 approvals. We also work closely with a credited VA Aid and Attendance expert who can help you file an Aid and Attendance Benefit Application. If you want assurance that you are in the best hands, contact Platinum Benefit Services today!
