It kind of sneaks up on you, I'm talking about OLD. You know it's just around the corner but somehow you keep taking shortcuts around Senior Citizen Blvd. We are on our way to old, a few blocks away but our parents are now living there. It's not the same neighborhood they enjoyed a few years ago when they were still independent, now there are hazards and pitfalls on every corner.
I want to tell you some valuable information that you may not be aware of. If you know someone who is now in need of assistance, they may be eligible for the Aid and Attendance Pension offered to Veterans who have served at least 90 days during a period of war. The pension provides $1600-$1900 monthly that can be used for home care, assisted living or nursing care. There are guidelines, one being they must have no more than $80,000 in assets, excluding their home and cars. Even that requirement allows the veteran to gift their savings to a relative for safekeeping, until they need it at a later date, with NO penalty or time restriction. Medicaid has a 5 year "look-back" on gifting, meaning you must gift your money 5 full years before you need nursing home care.
This VA benefit isn't new, but many never know of it's existence. It's actually been an entitlement for 60 years to veterans and their surviving spouses. Please pass this along to anyone you know that's facing these hard times. Read more about the Aid and Attendance Pension. Call or visit your Veterans Aid Benefits office for more information or an appointment.
From VeteransAid.org...
"The Veterans Administration offers Aid and Attendance as part of an "Improved Pension" Benefit that is largely unknown. This Improved Pension allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing, medication dosing, or taking care of the needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an Assisted Living facility also qualifies. This most important benefit is overlooked by many families with Veterans or surviving spouses who need additional monies to help care for ailing parents or loved ones. This is a "Pension Benefit" and IS NOT dependent upon service-related injuries for compensation. Aid and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, Nursing Home or Assisted Living facility. A Veteran is eligible for up to $1,632 per month, while a surviving spouse is eligible for up to $1,055 per month. A Veteran with a Spouse is eligible for up to $1,949 per month*."
Thank you for this. I am saving it 'in case' anyone in our family needs it. I think my FIL qualifies for the active service part.
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone sees this. I will mention it on my next blog post and refer them here!
This is a good thing.
Interesting to know, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSuch good information, thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe are looking into another program. Dad wasn't in the military b//c they had livestock and a farm so he didn't have to serve. They still have farmland. We have a good support girl who is working with us. Thanks for the prayers and the info. It sure helps knowing others understand. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteI think OLD hit me pretty young, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteGood information to keep in mind!
That is good information to know!
ReplyDeleteBut I'd be really careful who I "gifted" with my savings. And I mean REALLY careful. Some folks might even be better off putting it in a peanut butter jar and burying it in the ground.
Ilene, a lawyer can set it up if necessary. The benefits of long term care amount to $50,000-$75,000a year so savings dwindle fast. Unfortunately we have been through this already with my Mom and this pension was there for she and Daddy, we just were unaware of it. It's an option that might allow a couple to live with assistance even at home and it only takes a few months to start, unlike Medicaid's 5 year rule. Please share this with anyone who's facing this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat's great information, Joycee. I wish I had known about it the last few years my dad was alive. He never saw combat, but was in the Marines for two years during the Korean War. He was living with my sister and brother-in-law, his only income less than $800/month social security and he had NO assets. We (the family) took care of whatever he needed that he couldn't afford, but it sure would have given him a lot more choices. Thank you for sharing this.
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