Seniors shouldn’t go broke paying for long-term care. As we age, we want to retain our dignity and be able to decide how we wish to be cared for. Paying for medical expenses can often be a hurdle for older Ohioans and their loved ones, but for U.S. veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has an Aid and Attendance benefit to help offset some of the cost.
Applying for VA assistance can be an arduous, complex process. Consider working with the elder care attorneys at Jarvis Law Office, P.C., who can help you determine your eligibility for the Aid & Attendance benefits and can help implement a plan that addresses your needs.
Before we continue, our entire team thanks you, Veteran, for your service to our country. Now, let’s take a look at what the VA Aid and Attendance benefit is, how to qualify, and what you need to do in order to apply.
What Is the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit?
If you are a wartime Veteran and need the assistance of another person in the course of a day, you may be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. This monthly payment can be thought of as a reimbursement for out-of-pocket health-related expenses that occur regularly on an ongoing basis. The VA doesn’t track how you spend the benefit, but typically veterans use it to cover the costs of senior care, both short-term and long-term. This can include memory care, assisted living, nursing home care, or even care within your own home. This care can be provided by a professional caregiver or even by a family member.
If you are thinking of using the benefit to help pay for care at a senior facility, it must offer around-the-clock staffing in order to qualify. Our elder care attorneys will not only be able to handle all the paperwork involved, but we’ll also be able to verify that the facility you’re looking at or already reside in qualifies for this particular coverage.
Another VA program, called Homebound benefit, is available to eligible veterans who are restricted to their homes because of a permanent disability. Veterans cannot receive both Homebound and Aid and Attendance benefits at the same time.
How Does a Veteran Qualify for Aid and Attendance?
In order to qualify, the veteran needs to already have a caregiver or already be a resident at a senior living facility. As noted previously, you must be a wartime veteran and need the assistance of another person in order to qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. Our qualified elder care attorneys can walk you through applying for both.
Once we submit the application, we will follow up with the Department of Veterans Affairs on your behalf. You’ve got enough to worry about without also having to do this all on your own.
How Do Veterans Apply for the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit?
By far, one of the most difficult aspects of VA benefit programs has to do with the application process. An elder care attorney will be able to ease this burden for you by helping with the paperwork. If you need help applying, our elder law attorneys at Jarvis Law Office, P.C., can provide guidance, and in some cases, assist you with the application.
Applying for any government assistance program is difficult, but the VA is notorious for having a process that is often time-consuming and even frustrating. On top of that, not all veterans will receive the same benefits. If you’re doing this on your own, you’ll never know if you’re receiving all the benefits for which you may be entitled.
Even if you’ve already gotten started with paperwork, it pays to work with an elder law attorney. When you work with us, we leave no stone unturned and look for every benefit and program available to you. Check out “The Consumer’s Guide to Veterans Benefits,” a free guide we wrote to help veterans and their families discover if they are eligible for little-known VA benefits.
Our Elder Law Team at Jarvis Law Office, P.C., Can Help You Apply for VA Aid and Attendance Benefit
Getting help with your VA benefits doesn’t need to be a hassle. Instead of searching online for “elder care attorneys near me,” speak with the experienced, friendly team at Jarvis Law Office, P.C. We can fill out application forms for you, follow up with the VA, and walk you through every step of the process. And, we’ll be here to help long after you submit your application.
Don’t go broke paying for long-term care. Contact us today to request a free consultation. We can talk to you over Zoom or meet you in one of our three Ohio locations. Call us at one of our three offices: Lancaster (740) 653-3450, Dublin (614) 495-4185, or St. Clairsville (740) 699-2193. You can also reach us using our online form. We look forward to hearing from you.
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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Jarvis Law Office, P.C.
904 N. Columbus Street
Lancaster, OH 43130
(740) 653-3450
https://www.jarvisfirm.com
