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Breaking the VA Myths
For example, the program that is talked about most is the Aid and Attendance program.This program can pay a Veteran up to $1644.67 per month and a widow of a Veteran up to $1056.75 per month.
That doesn’t mean that every Veteran or widow who applies for this program will receive the maximum benefit.There is a process to determine the monthly benefit amount.
This process starts by adding together all of the gross annual income of the Veteran or widow.If the annual income is over the limit, then the VA looks at unreimbursed medical expenses to reduce the annual income.However, this isn’t a straight unreimbursed medical expense deduction.VA adds 5% of the maximum income rate back to the total before determining the benefit rate for the Veteran.Then, VA subtracts the maximum income rate from the remaining total.If, after subtracting the maximum income rate, the remaining total is a negative number, then VA divides that number by 12 to determine the actual eligible payment amount.
However, the income and unreimbursed medical expenses are not the only eligibility factor the VA reviews.The VA also looks at the total net worth to determine the applicant’s need for this needs-based pension.The greater the financial need, the better the chance at getting approved for the VA benefit.As a general rule of thumb, those Veterans or widows who have less than one year’s worth of assets to privately pay for their own aid and attendance care, will show a higher need than Veterans or widow’s who have multiple years worth of assets.
We are also hearing from the VA that the applications received are put in order of priority—the applications which show a greater need are processed quicker than those that don’t show as great a financial need.
The other myth that we often hear is the one that if you do not have a medical need, you will not qualify for any benefits.The Aid & Attendance and Housebound Assistance are not separately administered programs.
These are just increased income limits for the pension programs if you have medical need.A Veteran or a widow of a Veteran may qualify for pension alone, if his/her income is below the income rate for the base pension program.These persons do not have to show medical need.
They have to show financial need.
The income limits for these persons are very low, but if a Veteran or widow of a Veteran has income greater than the maximum rate and lots of unreimbursed medical expenses, they may qualify for up to $931 for a Veteran and up to $624 for a widow.Please keep in mind that the actual amount goes through the calculation that we mentioned earlier.First, adding together all annual income, subtracting unreimbursed medical expenses, adding back 5% of the income limit, subtracting the total income limit and determining if there is a negative number which shows the need for the program.
All in all, it is a complicated process.VA and the Arizona Department of Veterans Services can provide some free help in navigating the maze of VA eligibility.
There are law firms and private consulting firms that can help you perfect your application for a fee.
Ultimately, the final decision rests with the Veterans Administration and the VA’s budget.The goal is not to discourage you in the pursuit of these benefits, but to encourage you to seek out more information before putting yourself through the up to one-year process of applying and qualifying for benefits.
Montgomery & Associates charges $120.00 an hour for our initial evaluation.At the evaluation, we reviewmedical and financial information for that client to determine if they can or should pursue privately paying for their care, pursue government benefits through ALTCS or the Veterans Administration, or if they are just in a position to do some pre-crisis planning.Pre-crisis planning may entail financial planning and utilizing financial tools (insurance, investments, etc.) to accomplish their long term care goals.Our firm also employs a Certified Legal Document Preparer who can help people get their legal documents in order (powers of attorney, living will, estate planning, etc.).
ALTCS Planning.net is not affiliated with AHCCCS / ALTCS / VA.
ALTCS Planning.net is a private consulting firm.
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(DBA: ALTCS Planning.net) and Montgomery & Associates, Inc. (DBA: ALTCS Planning.net) makes no warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, with respect to any information provided on this website. Montgomery & Associates, Inc. (DBA: ALTCS Planning.net) assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in the content on this website and the information provided is not to be construed as legal advice. The information is intended to provide a general, factual overview of legal documents and planning options available. For legal matters you should always seek counsel of a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Use of any information on this website is at your own risk.
**IMPORTANT NOTICE**
Our CLDP, Carol Aragon-Montgomery, prepares legal documents.OUR CLDP IS NOT AN ATTORNEY AT LAW AND IS NOT EMPLOYED BY ATTORNEYS AT LAW AND CANNOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE.Your communications with our CLDP are kept CONFIDENTIAL by our CLDP, but since our CLDP is not an attorney at law, such communications are NOT PRIVILEGED (i.e., immune from Subpoena). Our CLDP can give you general factual information pertaining to legal rights, procedures, or options available to you in a legal matter when you are not represented by an attorney.Our CLDP cannot give you specific legal advice, opinions, or recommendations about your legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, or strategies. Please note that the Long Term Care Planning Services are of a financial planning nature and are not specific "legal" advice. Prices subject to change without notice.