Veteran's Aid and Attendance Pension

The Veteran's Aid and Attendance pension is available to a Veteran, his spouse, or surviving spouse if at the age of 65 and are in need of care. It is not for everyone.

How do you qualify? 5 areas are looked at.
1. The Veteran needed to serve 90 days active duty and one day during a period of war. We will need to see the Veterans DD-214 military separation papers to determine this.
2. There has to be a need for care. We will look at their health related issues to determine whether they will qualify backed up by a Physicians statement.
3. An expense for care. They will need to be paying out of pocket for their health care expenses.
4. Income is looked at which usually is Social Security, retirement, pension, rental income, Long Term Care Insurance etc. If for a married couple it is combined income.
5. Assets which include cash in the bank, CD's, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, whole life, IRA/401K, a second home, property, a family trust etc. The home you live in or your automobile does not count.

If I am living at home, how do I qualify?
If your spouse is caring for you, you are not able to count this as an expense for care. If you have a child coming in to care for you and you are paying that child for care, you may qualify. If you are paying out of pocket for a caregiver to come in you may qualify.

What is a caregiver's contract?
A caregiver's contract is a contract written up between the person being cared for and the family member who is the caregiver. The contract explains all the duties being performed by the caregiver for the loved one with an hourly amount and a price is attached to the hours. We usually base the hourly amount at $20 an hour which is what a home care agency would charge on an average. The contract is signed by the caregiver and the loved one.

What is an Irrevocable Health Care Trust?
This is a trust that is better served for those who are at the end of their rope. Irrevocable meaning you are not able to change the trust. This trust is there to protect your aging loved one.