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The experts say... |
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"Caregivers and family members need to be especially alert and aware of changed behavior in their elderly loved ones, as these could be indications of abuse."
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Debby Bitticks, CEO Delphi Health Products, Inc.
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Financial Help for Senior Veterans and Their Families
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The Veterans' Administration offers a Special Pension with Aid and
Attendance (A&A) benefit that is largely unknown. Some reports indicate it is being claimed by only one in seven who are eligible for it. Currently over 2 million widows alone are missing out simply because they don't know they are entitled. It can pay for in-home caretakers, a skilled nursing facility, and assisted living. Low income veterans of all wars can qualify. Their disability does not have to be war-related and spouses of deceased veterans are also eligible.
This Pension allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the
regular attendance of another person to assist in activities of daily living (eg: eating, bathing, dressing, toileting) 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. Most Veterans who are in need of assistance qualify for this pension.
Every county has a "county service officer" whose job it is to help people process claims but not all are informed about this benefit. If
you're not confident about the information you are receiving from the
county service officer in your county, try another county to get the
information you need.
You also might want to contact a good financial adviser or an elder
law attorney. However, federal law prohibits private individuals from
charging veterans for benefit claims, so expect to be charged for
other services while handling the claim.
You should also expect the claim to take some time to be processed.
Due to the current backlog of claims pending, the average time is 6-9
months, but the good news is, if you're deemed eligible, it's retroactive to the date you filed the claim.
To learn more about the Aid & Attendance Improved Pension, Eligibility
Requirements, How to Apply, What to Expect, Necessary Forms, Step-by step directions for completing applications, and other Resources to
help you with this critical benefit, please go to http://www.veteranaid.org.
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