Since 1954, November 11th has been recognized as Veterans Day when Americans honor and celebrate the brave men and women who have served in the United States military, be it the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.
Many seniors may recall that this day was also recognized as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which marked the end of World War I when hostilities waned at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany began. Americans observed Armistice Day which eventually became Veterans Day in 1954.
The United States Veterans Administration (VA) says, “The theme for Veterans Day 2023 is Service. Veterans are proud of their military value and tradition of answering the call to duty. There is distinct honor in serving to protect our way of life and the Constitution of the United States of America. We encourage (Americans) to consider Veterans history of service to our nation and the honor we owe them for fulfilling patriotic duties.”
Throughout history, men and women of the United States Armed Forces have selflessly served our country. While some have made the ultimate sacrifice, many others returned from their military service with physical and mental disabilities and serious health conditions, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Moreover, aside from war-related injuries, veterans from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Desert Storm have faced additional challenges, including age-related illnesses and limitations.
To help veterans and their spouses maintain their independence and maximize their dignity and quality of life, there is a benefit known as Aid and Attendance. Unfortunately, many veterans and their spouses who may qualify for this pension benefit are NOT aware of it or that the amount paid for Aid and Attendance is over and above their veteran’s monthly pension.
WHAT IS AID AND ATTENDANCE?
Aid and Attendance is a pension benefit that pays qualified veterans and their spouses for specific costs associated with home care and care provided in an assisted living facility. Care services must be necessary due to cognitive or physical limitations and may include custodial and personal care.
COVERAGE AMOUNTS AND INCOME RESTRICTIONS
To qualify for Aid and Attendance, claimants must have an adjusted annual income under established income thresholds. Certain costs can be subtracted from a person’s total income to determine the adjusted income. For example, incurred costs associated with medical, custodial, and personal care that are not reimbursed are subtracted to determine the adjusted income.
For the current income thresholds, call the Veterans Administration at (800) 827-1000, or visit their website: VA.gov. Click “Benefits” on the home page, then click “Compensation and Pension,” and go to “Fact Sheets.”
For veterans, go to “Veterans with Limited Income” and click “Pension.” For spouses, go to “Dependents and Survivors’ Benefits” and click “Death Pension Benefits.”
AID & ATTENDANCE QUALIFICATIONS
To qualify for this benefit, the claimant must be unable to live independently without support and:
- Require regular aid with personal care activities such as bathing, dressing, feeding, personal hygiene, transferring, or adjusting a prosthetic or orthopedic device.
- Need aid due to safety risks (physical or mental limitations) associated with injury or illness.
- Other qualifications include, but are not limited to:
- A minimum of 90 days active military service with at least one day during period of war*
- An honorable discharge or discharge other than dishonorable
- An income threshold applies
*Pertaining to men and women called into the military after 9/1980, the minimum service requirement is now 24 continuous months of military service or active duty.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
If pension benefits are being received by a veteran or his/her spouse, write a letter to the VA indicating you would like to apply for Aid and Attendance. To help expedite the process, you can include a physician’s statement indicating your medical condition and necessity.
If pension benefits are NOT being received, the veteran or his/her spouse must apply to receive pension benefits before applying for Aid and Attendance. The process to apply for pension benefits requires considerable paperwork be compiled and filed.
I know the qualification and application processes can be quite confusing and seem daunting. While there is limited information about Aid and Attendance on the VA website, the resource I strongly recommend at Home Helpers® is Aid and Attendance, a website that is not affiliated with the VA or any governmental agency. On behalf of Home Helpers, I am available to assist with this complex process in an attempt to make life easier.
Plus, Veteran’s Service Officers are located in every county, and it is their job to find benefits for veterans. In Pasco and Pinellas Counties contact:
Pasco County Division of Veterans Services: 727.834.3282
Pinellas County Veterans Services: 727.464.8460
Please note: Make sure you understand the difference between working with a “recognized” versus an “unrecognized” home healthcare organization.
Home Helpers® is a recognized organization providing a battery of services referred to above. My team of professional caregivers provides non-medical in-home care services, including companion care, personal care, specialized care, recuperative care, post-operative care, 24-hour shift care, and more, that are similar to what is often provided by family members and are designed to help senior veterans maintain their independence and avoid isolation.
Additional veteran care services include help with transportation, pharmacy pickups, grocery shopping, and meal planning and preparation. Furthermore, caregiving support services are compassionately provided in the home, a hospital, a rehabilitation center, an assisted living facility, a retirement community, or wherever needed.
If you have any questions about Aid and Attendance benefits, I am happy to share information and resources, and I will gladly schedule a FREE Assessment at your convenience to discern specific needs and find the perfect caregiver to deliver approved caregiving services for you, a veteran you love, or their spouse. 727.942.2539
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Home Care Pulse Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providers in 2023 and to have received the Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award 2023, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice Award 2023, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Award 2023.
We proudly serve male and female seniors and veterans in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠ 727.942.2539
Source:
United States Veterans Administration
