Veterans Benefits for Assisted Living

Life Planning Law Firm, P.A. Kevin Pillion, VA Accredited Attorney Jim Stivers, VA Accredited Agent

Veterans Benefits for Assisted Living Kevin Pillion, Esq.

James E. Stivers

VA Accredited Attorney Elder Law Attorney Certified Public Accountant

Veterans Benefit Specialist CW5, US Army Ret.

Kevin Pillion, Esq. received his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center and has been practicing law since 1995. He is Accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs, a member of The Veterans Benefits Committee of the Elder Law Section of The Florida Bar, The Florida Bar, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Florida Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Life Care Planning Law Firms Association.

Kevin is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Washington, D.C. and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Jim Stivers, CW5, US Army Ret. and his expertise in Veterans Affairs is a welcome and invaluable addition to the Veterans Benefits Services we provide. He recently retired from Sarasota County Veterans Service Unit where he served as a Veterans Service Officer for many years. He assisted Sarasota County Veterans and their families with VA claims for Disability Compensation, Pension, as well as the Aid & Attendance Program. Jim entered into the Army in 1965 and served as a Cargo Helicopter and Airplane Pilot. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 5 after 33 years of service. He served tours in Korea, Vietnam and Germany, in addition to numerous assignments stateside.

WHAT IS A ‘VA ACCREDITED’ ATTORNEY? VA Accreditation refers to the authority granted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to only those Attorneys and Agents who meet the standards established by the Department of Veterans Affairs. To receive accreditation, Federal Law requires an Attorney to pass a written examination and to complete ongoing continuing legal education. The VA accreditation system is designed to ensure that lawyers who represent Veterans have a thorough understanding of the VA health and benefit systems, so that they may provide quality assistance in the preparation and presentation all VA claims. It a violation of Federal Law for a non-accredited individual to assist in the preparation or presentation of any claims before the VA.

1671 Mound Street , Sarasota, FL 34236 • www.LifeLawFirm.com • 941-914-6000

Aid & Attendance – Do You Qualify ?

If you are a Veteran …

• Are you 65 years old or older ?

• Did you serve at least 90 consecutive days of active military duty ?

• Was at least 1 of those days during a wartime period ?

• Did you receive an Honorable Discharge ?

• Do you need the assistance of another person to help you with the Activities of Daily living?

• Are you moving to an Assisted Living Facility ?

If you are a Surviving Spouse of a Veteran …

• Were you married to the Veteran at the time of death ?

• Were you married to the Veteran for at least one year ?

• Have you remained unmarried since the time of the Veteran’s death ?

• Do you need the assistance of another person to help you with the Activities of Daily living?

• Are you moving to an Assisted Living Facility ?

If you have answered YES to the questions above, you may be eligible for Aid & Attendance and receive the following tax-free benefit each month:

Single Veteran $1,759 Veteran & Spouse $2,085 Surviving Spouse of a Veteran $1,130 A WORD OF CAUTION... VA eligibility planning needs be done with careful analysis of its implications for eventual Medicaid eligibility for the veteran or their spouse. Such planning requires the guidance and assistance of an experienced Elder Law Attorney who is also ‘Accredited’ by the United States Department of Veterans Administration. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs requires attorneys and benefits counselors to receive official accreditation in order to advise and represent veterans before the VA. Attorney Kevin Pillion & James Stivers of Life Planning Law Firm, P.A. have received this required Accreditation. Life Planning Law Firm, P.A. serves the legal needs of seniors and their loved ones in the areas of Elder Law, VA Planning, Medicaid Planning, Asset Protection, Estate Planning, and Probate.