Page 21 - Senior Housing Directory 2015 South Central Michigan
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VA AID AND ATTENDANCE PENSION
Probably the most underutilized Veteran’s benefit available is the Aid and Attendance Pension.
such as eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, etc. Being blind, disabled, or in a nursing home for mental or physical incapacity,
or residing in an assisted living facility also qualifies. A physician’s statement and statements from caregivers or facilities
are required to verify this information and must include a current diagnosis and prog- nosis.
Asset Eligibility - The case workers use subjective methods to deter- mine asset eligibility, but it is based on a Veteran’s ability to pay for his or her own care without outliving his or her money. Life-expectancy is also considered. Assets include: CDs, annuities, stocks, bonds, savings, checking, IRAs Keogh, etc. The home (if the Veteran or his spouse is still residing there), car and life insurance
are excluded. A&A is different because there is currently no “look-back” period for divesting (giving away) your assets. Getting the advice of a qualified elder
law attorney might be a valuable first step before divesting of assets.
Income Eligibility - A Veter-
an’s income is measured after medical expenses are subtracted. Medical expenses include: assisted living and nursing home costs, home health care services, health insurance premium, Medicare premium, regular (unreimbursed) prescriptions,
and some over the counter items, (de- pends, etc.) Sources of income include Social Security, pension, interest income, dividends, income from rental property, annuities, investments, etc. When the Veteran’s (and/or spouse’s) income is being outweighed by his or her medical expenses, he or she is income-eligible for A&A.
This benefit pays for home care, assist- ed living and adult foster care expenses, where traditionally, people would have
to go into a nursing home to have the government (Medicaid) help pay for their care. This benefit is a great alternative to Medicaid or even long-term-care insur- ance (for those who are not insurable).
This benefit is not a “hand out.” Every Veteran out there who is eligible for this benefit earned it by serving our country and should be lining up to be sure that they benefit from that service. Information can be obtained by calling the Veterans Administration at 1-800- 827-1000, visitng your VA regional office or starting online at www.benefits.va.gov/pension/ aid_attendance_housebound.asp.
Aid and Attendance (A&A) is a spe- cial pension offered by the VA, which provides benefits for Veterans and their spouses who require the regular at- tendance of another person to assist in their activities of daily living. There are four criteria to be met in order to apply for A&A; military service, medical need, assets, and income.
Military Service - Any War-time Veteran with 90 days of active duty, one day beginning or ending during a period of War, is eligible to apply for the A&A pension. He or she may also apply for benefits for his or her spouse. A surviving spouse (marriage must have ended due to the death of the Veteran) of a War-time Veteran may also apply. The Veteran must have been discharged under “Honorable” or “General under Honorable” conditions in order to be eligible.
Medical Need - One of the greatest things about A&A Benefits is that they do not require a service-connected injury to qualify. However, the Veteran, spouse or surviving spouse must need the assistance of another person to perform daily tasks
231 Springview Drive, Battle Creek, MI 49037
Newly renovated apartment homes
All utilities included
Pet friendly
Free satellite TV
On-site hair salon
Private courtesy bus service
New emergency
call system included
Friendly, caring staff
Beautiful wooded setting
Community dining room
Call For Further
Information And
Personal Tour!
(Off North Avenue Near Roosevelt)
269-968-9105 www.SpringviewTower.com
www.enrichinghappiness.com
BICKFORD OF BATTLE CREEK
3432 Capital Ave SW Battle Creek, MI 49015 (269) 979-9600
BICKFORD OF PORTAGE
4707 W Milham Ave Portage, MI 49024 (269) 372-2100 2014 Branch of the Year
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