One of the first things a family worries about after deciding their loved ones should get Home Care Services is where to get the funding. Most families opt for private funds to take care of the costs of care. However, there are other programs and financing options that can help.
This includes Aid and Attendance Benefit.
What is Aid and Attendance Benefit?
The Aid and Attendance Benefit is a tax-free service offered by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) and is designed for both the veteran and their spouse, to help bridge the gap between a veteran’s income and assets and the cost of senior care such as Companion Services in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Who’s Eligible for Aid and Attendance Benefits
There are several qualifying conditions the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) considers when determining if a veteran or their spouse is eligible for senior care services such as Skilled Nursing in McLean, Virginia.
- Military Service Requirement
A veteran must meet at least 90 days of active military service. At least one day of that service must have been during an acknowledged period of war.
Wars that meet the period war requirements:
- World War I (April 6, 1917–November 11, 1918)
- World War II (December 7, 1941–December 31, 1946)
- Korean conflict (June 27, 1950–January 31, 1955)
- Vietnam era (February 28, 1961–May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period; otherwise, August 5, 1964–May 7, 1975)
- Gulf War (August 2, 1990–through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation
- Needs-Based Requirements
According to the DVA, a veteran or surviving spouse must meet at least one (1) of the following requirements to receive VA:
- Need for another person to help perform daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and dressing, or
- Must stay in bed—or spend a large portion of the day in bed—because of illness, or
- Be a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability, or
- Have limited eyesight (even with glasses or contact lenses having only 5/200 or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less)
Once it’s proven that the applicant meets both military service and needs-based requirements outlined above, they can proceed to the next step: an evaluation of the applicant’s yearly family income and net worth standard. These incomes are adjusted yearly by Congress.
To learn more about VA and the benefits available to your loved one, contact us OptimumCare Home Care Services, today! We’d be more than happy to accommodate your questions.
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