Archive for the ‘Aid and attendance’ Category

What happens to a Veteran’s VA Benefits if they receive Medicaid?

The veteran, if qualified for Medicaid, will receive $90.00 for personal needs only. This is non-countable by Medicaid; however, some Medicaid agencies make it countable income. Additionally, $90 is only for single claimants; not married veterans.  However, if the community spouse has sufficient Unreimbursed Medical Expenses, and the veteran’s out-of-pocket expenses, this offsets total household gross income. Therefore, if the veteran is on Medicaid, continues to receive the full pension plus Aid and Attendance of $1,949.00 per month. For more in to increase your monthly income, please contact us about a FREE HANDBOOK about VA Benefits, written by David Wingate,…

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Can a Veteran have both service connected and non-service connected benefits?

No. If the veteran is rated 100%, they may receive an additional amount – special monthly compensation (SMC), if the need for Aid & Attendance is a service connected condition.  Also, if the veteran, rated under100%, is unemployable due to his service connected condition, they can file for unemployability. Therefore, their rating is 100%. Consequently, file for the SMC. These VA benefits exceed NSC pension. Also, if the veteran is married, they will receive additional money.  Remember, that assets, income, and UME do not matter in a SC claim. However, if his SC condition is not the cause for increased care, you may…

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What is the difference, by the VA, between a licensed health professional and non-licensed for caregiving?

If an in-home attendant is caring for a disabled person who … has been rated housebound or in need of Aid and Attendance, by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Then allow for a deduction for the wages … of the in-home attendant, even if the attendant is not a licensed health professional.Note: A family member may be considered an in-home attendant only if he/she is actually being paid. Documentation must be submitted. If an in-home attendant is caring for a disabled person who … has not been rated housebound or in need of A&A by the Department of Veterans Affairs….

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What VA Benefits are Available for a Service Connected Veteran’s Surviving Spouse?

The spouse must file within one year of the veterans death to preserve a retroactive payment date of the first day of the month after the vet’s death.

Can your net worth disqualify you from VA Benefits?

YES. Net worth means your and your dependents net household asset value . It includes such assets as bank accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and any property other than the veteran’s residence. There is no official set cap, unlike Medicaid, on how much net worth a veteran and his dependents can have, but net worth cannot be excessive. The decision as to whether a claimant’s net worth is excessive depends on the facts of each case i.e life expectancy – 96 year old has $50k, rather than 70 year old with $50k. There are some  exclusions to income that allow…

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What is countable income for veteran’s AID AND ATTENDANCE eligibility purposes?

What is countable income for veteran’s AID AND ATTENDANCE eligibility purposes?  Any income received by the veteran and in the household is countable income. It includes earnings, disability and retirement payments, interest and dividends, and net income from farming or business. Please note that the VA and Medicaid view income and assets differently – for example – there is a presumption that all of a child’s income is available to or for the veteran and Medicaid has a five year look back period unlike the VA. To increase your monthly income, please contact us about a FREE VA benefits HANDBOOK,…

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Many Veterans and their families are uniformed that the Veterans Administration has benefits that pay for home care providers.

Many Veterans and their families are uniformed that the Veterans Administration has benefits that pay for home care providers. Senior Life Care Planning, helps veterans qualify for those VA programs. Therefore, an in-home caregiver can provide services i.e. preparing meals, light housework, bathing, etc. for those Veterans who require assistance at home. Terri Mason, care manager for Senior Life Care Planning states that “There are many VA programs, which can help many veterans, their widows and families and we want to get the word out, so that our deserving veterans know these programs are available to them.”  A Veteran’s eligibility…

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If a veteran is receiving Medicaid but is not residing in a nursing home, will the veteran’s benefit be $90?

No.  The personal allowance reduction is only for single claimants receiving Medicaid, in the nursing home.  The Medicaid Waiver program, i.e. residing at home or at an assisted living facility, are not part of this automatic reduction.  

Veteran “moves in” with adult child, keep veteran’s residence, what do you do with rental income?

The net rental income  ( less mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, home owners association fees, etc.) is income to the veteran,  as "other income" on the primary application form (either the 21-526 or the 21-534), explain in the remarks section, income from the primary residence. However, the primary residence to be considered a non-exempt asset, the veteran must retain the rights of occupancy.  Consequently, state the veteran retains full rights of occupancy to move into the residence at any time and has retained a locked portion of the home for storage of their property.

Veteran has a Partial Interest in Property – No Transfer Involved

A veteran and an adult (non-helpless) child who lives in the same household are joint owners of a $10,000 CD and were joint owners before the date that the veteran became entitled to pension. Each owner has an undivided one-half interest in the CD. The value of the CD is $5,000 for net worth purposes and only one-half of the interest earned is counted as income in determining the veteran’s IVAP.

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