Improved Pension is not a new benefit, and has in fact been an entitlement for 60 years sitting idle while millions have and still are missing out on. Who is eligible? Any War-Time Veteran with 90 days of active duty, 1 day beginning or ending during a period of War, is eligible to apply for the Aid & Attendance Improved Pension. A surviving spouse (marriage must have ended due to death of veteran) of a War-Time Veteran may also apply. The individual applying must qualify both medically and financially.
The Aid and Attendance Program The Veterans Administration offers Aid and Attendance as part of an “Improved Pension” Benefit that is largely unknown. This Improved Pension allows 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 patients in nursing homes due to 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 couple is eligible for up to $1,949 per month. The Aid and Attendance Benefit is considered to be the third tier of the VA’s Improved Pension. The other two tiers are known as “Basic” and “Housebound”. Each tier has its own level of benefits and qualifications. The
Eligibility must be proven by filing the proper Veterans Application for Pension or Compensation. This application will require a copy of DD-214 or separation papers, Medical Evaluation from a physician, current medical issues, net worth limitations, and net income, along with out-of-pocket Medical Expenses. How to qualify To qualify financially, an applicant must have on average less than $80,000 in assets, EXCLUDING their home and vehicles. To apply for the Aid & Attendance Improved Pension, you will need the following documents. Prepare these before making your filing: • Discharge/Separation Papers (DD-214). • Copy of Marriage Certificate and all marital information (surviving spouses only). • Copy of the Death Certificate (surviving spouses only). • Copy of current Social Security Award Letter (the letter that Social Security sends at the beginning of the year stating what your monthly amount will be for the following year). • Net Worth information, including bank accounts, CDs, Trusts, Stocks, Bonds, Annuities, etc. • Proof of all income from pensions, retirement, interest income from investments, annuities, etc.
• If you are a court-appointed guardian of the veteran or surviving spouse, a certified copy of the court order of the appointment is required. • Proof of insurance premiums, medications, medical bills or any other medical expenses that are not reimbursed by insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. • Physician statement, that includes current diagnosis, medical status, prognosis, name and address, ability to care for self, ability to travel unattended, etc. If you are a veteran in a nursing home, or a family member of a veteran in a nursing home, you will need a Nursing Home Status Statement • Banking information for Direct Deposit of A&A monthly payments (include a voided check). • Employment history (does not apply if you are over 65). • List of all doctors and hospitals visited in the last year. Once you have this information compiled, you will need to obtain and complete VA Form 21-526 (For Veterans) and/or VA Form 21-534 (For Spouses) for Special Improved benefits with Aid & Attendance. If you need assistance with filing your paperwork, you can contact the VA, however, be prepared to encounter someone who is not knowledgeable about this benefit and may provide inaccurate information. We encourage you to explore all the available options and services provided through the VA and service agencies to find the option that’s right for you and your circumstances. Visit www.veteranaid.org for the more details and mailing instructions. Or call your RAO at 843-228-6222
For more information about MCCS-SC Retired Activities, please contact: Vonda Jones, Retired Activities Coordinator, vonda.jones@usmc.mil, 843-228-6222
More online under the “Retired Activities” tab at http://mccs-sc.com MCCS Retired Activities on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BeaufortRAO
MAY 2011
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MCCS HAPPENINGS