A common question for Jacksonville, Florida seniors is whether the VA pays any benefits for senior long-term care? First off, veterans have access to Tricare for medical insurance. But what about long-term care such as in-home companions, caregivers, and assisted living facilities?
The VA has a benefit called improved pension, which I blogged about here before. The benefit amounts to a tax-free cash payment from the VA that is intended to cover long-term care expenses. The problem is that there is a lot of misinformation out there, in particular, coming from the VA itself.
The VA improved pension benefit has three levels of payment depending on the senior’s medical need: basic, housebound, and aid and attendance. In order to qualify for the VA improved pension benefit, regardless of the level of care need, the VA also has asset and income requirements. If you call to the VA and talk to them about the benefit, you will hear from them that you have too much income or assets to qualify. In a lot of cases, this is not true. Through an elder law attorney with knowledge of the VA improved pension benefit with aid and attendance, planning can be done to qualify for this benefit.
If you live in the Jacksonville, Florida area, you can contact my office for a free consultation to determine if I can help you.
Assisted living gives many benefits. It can make senior living fulfilling and productive. It’s a practical option for very busy people and a great place for senior citizens. Thank you for sharing such beneficial post.