Archive for the ‘senior finances’ Category

There is a nationwide public relations campaign going on to raise awareness of a little known government pension available to wartime veterans or surviving spouses. Many people are eligible for this, but they aren’t collecting because they don’t know about it.

According to VeteranAid.org, if you are a senior age 65 or older and served in WW II, Korea, Vietnam or the Persian Gulf or if you are the surviving spouse of someone who served, you may be eligible for a pension called the Aid & Attendance Improved Pension. This pension can provide up to $1,632 per month to a veteran, $1,055 per month to a surviving spouse, or $1,949 per month to a couple.

To qualify medically, a person must need the assistance of another person to perform daily tasks such as eating, dressing, undressing, taking care of the needs of nature, etc. Also qualifying are people who are blind or in a nursing home for mental or physical incapacity, or residing in an assisted living facility.

To qualify financially, your countable family income must be below a yearly limit set by Congress.

For example, a claimant’s physician must declare the veteran as housebound and in need of assistance from another individual which may include services offered by assisted living. Also the veteran must have served at least 90 days Active Duty with one day of the 90 during a war period.

If you think you may qualify for Aid and Attendance Pension, contact your local or regional Veterans’ Administration. There are a number of papers to collect and fill out, but patience now may make a significant difference in you or your loved one’s quality of living.

To gather information, some helpful websites are http://www.veteranaid.org/ or http://www.vetassist.org. In addition, some law firms specialize in filing for the Aid and Attendance Improved Pension.