Veteran's Benefits Questions

1. What is the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit program?

   Unfortunately this is a common response. The VA Aid & Attendance benefit program is a descriptor commonly used in the civilian arena when providing information about the VA Non-Service Connected Pension. “Aid & attendance” is actually one tier of a three tiered benefit known in the VA sys system as VA Pension or Disability Pension...
   1 Expert Answer, 5 Community Answers

2. Will marriage affect my husband-to-be's VA benefit eligibility?

   When trying to figure out whether marriage -- and your investments -- would make your husband-to-be ineligible for VA medical benefits, he has to learn whether his eligibility for those benefits is based in part on his income and asset level...
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3. Is Mom responsible for paying back VA pension if the VA made the mistake?

   When dealing with the issue of paying the VA back for overpayment, you should not go it alone. You should contact a veterans service organization that will provide a service organization representative, also known as a veterans service officer at no cost...
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4. Will the VA take all the assets that my husband and I share to pay for his care?

   Let me answer your second question first. You do not automatically have power of attorney over your husband’s money. I suggest you take care of getting power of attorney as soon as possible. It is a good idea to name an alternate power of attorney in case anything happens to y...
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5. How do we get the benefits that my father had a right to?

   I’m going to assume your father was getting a non-service connected pension from the VA as opposed to service connected disability compensation. When your father’s VA benefits stopped, was he on Medicaid? If Medicaid was paying for his nursing home care, then he was only entitled to a Personal Needseeds Allowance of $90/mo...
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6. Will the VA cover the installation and a ramp for a veteran's home?

   There is a VA benefit called the Specialty Adapted Housing Grant. However, this benefit is only available to veterans who have a permanent and total service connected disability. This means the veteran’s disability is due to an illness or injury that occurred during his or her active duty. The VA dedetermines eligibility using their disability rating system...
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7. Why am I not eligible for veteran's benefits after the death of my husband?

   Your husband was receiving one of two benefits. One is compensation for a disability he suffered as a direct result of his military service. In this case,it ceases at his death. The other benefit is a pension benefit for non-service connected reasons...
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

8. If I have previously served in the Navy, will my new wife be eligible for any benefits?

   Unfortunately, the VA health care program you are enrolled in does not cover your spouse. The only health care programs the VA offers to family members are for active duty service personnel,military retirees and some exceptional situations.
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9. Will my VA benefits change depending on the cost of living to the stave I'm moving to?

   VA Benefits come from the federal government. They do not depend on which state you live in or cost of living differentials in different areas of the country.
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10. Can I receive compensation for my health issues through my VA benefits?

    As a Veteran, you may be eligible for the Non-Service Connected Pension from the VA. If you are single, you can qualify for up to $1,644/month. If you are married, you can qualify for up to $1,949/month. Your eligibility and the amount you can qualify for are dependent on several rules. First, you must have served at leasst one day during wartime...
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11. How can we find out if my mother is eligible for VA survivor benefits?

    I am going to assume that your father did not die from a service connected disability. Your mother's eligibility for a survivor's benefit is based on her income and her expenses for home care (she can pay you) and health insurance premiums. Her eligibility is not impacted by her being on hospice...
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12. Is There Extra V.A. Help for Veterans Who Are Housebound or Can't Care for Themselves?

    A low-income veteran with wartime service who is unable to care for himself or is disabled and housebound might be eligible for V.A. Aid & Attendance (A&A) or Housebound benefits, which can be paid in addition to a low-income, wartime veteran's basic pension...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

13. Does the V.A. Have Pensions for Disabled, Low-Income Veterans?

    A low-income veteran may be eligible for a pension from the V.A. if the veteran meets all four of the following conditions:
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

14. Where can I get financial assistance for monthly expenses?

    Depending on where you and your parent live and your financial situation, there are federal and state programs that can help. The best place to start is with your county's Office of Senior Services. They can give you advice on how to find services that provide:
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15. Can my mother receive social security and a VA pension?

    Yes, your mother can receive both social security and VA Disability Pension at the same time. To qualify she would have to be over the age of 65 and not remarried. The purpose of the Non-service Connected VA Disability pension benefit is to supplement low or no income veterans and surviving spouses...
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16. Do VA "Aid and Attendance" benefits preclude you from Medicaid and state assistance?

    This is definitely an area where the VA Disability Pension Benefit for Aid & Attendance could turn out being more of a foe than a friend and your hesitancy is well warranted. In some cases the VA Disability Pension can have an effect on an individual’s eligibility for Medicaid benefits and why y...
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17. Are long term care benefits considered income by the VA?

    Even though the long term care policy that Mom has is considered insurance, the monthly benefit amount would be documented as "other income"and would count toward her recurring monthly medical expenses and would need to be applied accordingly.
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18. Are there benefits available for a veteran's widow whose income is too high for Medicaid and Aid and Attendance?

    You're in a very tough spot, but it's one that many thousands of people find themselves in. Although it may seem that your mother-in-law's income is too high for her to be eligible for Medicaid coverage of nursing home care, you may be surprised to find that's not the case...
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19. Can I receive veteran's benefits again from my first late husband?

    Yes, you may be able to since you were married to the veteran at the time of his service-connected death and are not currently married, you may be eligible for the [Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)] (http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/veterans_affairs_va_benefits_dependency_and_indemnity_compensation_dic_...
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20. Are there VA benefits to be a paid family caregiver?

    The Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit can be used as a source of money to pay family caregivers to provide care at home. This benefit, under the right circumstances, can provide up to $1,949 a month in additional income to pay family members to provide care at home.
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