Using Veteran Pension Benefits to assist with Long-term Care Needs

Boston Medicaid Planning Lawyer and Elder Law Attorney Assists Massachusetts Veterans with Long-term care Financing
 

Many eligible Massachusetts veterans and their spouses are unaware of the benefits available to them to assist with long-term care expenses at home, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.  Pension benefits are payable to eligible veterans to ensure that their income does not fall below certain minimums.  When a veteran has medical expenses not covered by other insurance, the expenses can be used to reduce a veteran’s countable income.  The following examples are of expenses that can be used to reduce countable income:

• Insurance premiums
• Home health aid expenses
• Adult day care
• Assisted living costs
• Nursing home facility costs

Which Veterans are Eligible for Pension Benefits?

Veterans and their spouses who are permanently and totally disabled, or who are also 65 or older, may be eligible for monetary support if they have 90 days or more of active military service, at least one day of which was during a period of the following wars:

Those disabled Veterans eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit include veterans with the inability to feed oneself, to dress and undress without assistance, or to take care of one’s own bodily needs.  People who are bedridden or need help adjusting to special prosthetic or orthopedic devices may also be eligible, as well as those who have a physical or mental injury or illness that requires regular assistance to protect them from hazards or dangers in their daily environment.

I’m a veteran, my spouse is a veteran or I’m a surviving spouse.  In terms of numbers, how do my Veteran Pension Benefits add up?

A veteran is eligible for up to $1,644 per month, while a surviving spouse is eligible for up to $1,056 per month and married couple is eligible for up to $1,949 per month.  Congress adjusts these figures annually, and they are therefore subject to change.  Here’s how Veteran Pension Benefits break down on an annual and monthly basis: 

 ****Rates effective 12/01/2008 and are subject to change. Please see the Department of Veterans Affairs website for specifics.

Contact an experienced Massachusetts Elder Law and Medicaid Attorney for Your Long-term Elder Care Needs

If you need assistance of a Massachusetts elder law lawyer to plan an estate or determine MassHealth eligibility or other estate planning services, contact us for a complimentary consultation or call: 781.996.5656 or 800.701.0352.