Veteran Issues Digest Number 1714

[admin]

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE VETERANS' AID AND ATTENDANCE...... Posted by: "Colonel Dan" colonel-dan@sbcglobal.net coloneldan1

Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:05 am (PST)

also go to: http://www.veterana id.org/docs/ Improved_ Pension.pdf

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From: Waspscpo@aol. com
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2007 4:25 PM
To: undisclosed- recipients:
Subject: INTRODUCTION TO THE VETERANS' AID AND ATTENDANCE.. ....

http://www.veterana id.org/

INTRODUCTION TO THE VETERANS' AID AND ATTENDANCE SPECIAL PENSION

Tax deduction is possible.

The Veterans' Administration offers a Special Pension with Aid and
Attendance (A&A) benefit that is largely unknown. This Special Pension
(part of the VA Improved Pension program) allows for Veterans and surviving
spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in
eating, bathing, dressing, undressing or taking care of the needs of nature
to receive additional monetary benefits.

It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home
because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisted
living facility also qualifies.This most important benefit is overlooked by
many families with Veterans or surviving spouses who need additional monies
to help care for ailing parents or loved ones.

This is a "pension benefit" and is not dependent upon service-related
injuries for compensation. Most Veterans who are in need of assistance
qualify for this pension.
Aid and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, nursing home or
assisted living facility. A Veteran is eligible for up to $1,519 per month,
while a surviving spouse is eligible for up to $976 per month.

A couple is eligible for up to $1,801 per month*.The Aid and Attendance
Benefit is considered to be the third tier of a VA program called Improved
Pension. The other two tiers are Basic and Housebound. Each tier has its
own level of benefits and qualifications.

While the objective of this site is to disseminate information about the Aid
and Attendance Benefit, we urge you to read an important document prepared
by the American Veterans Institute that clearly explains the Improved
Pension program, its levels of benefits and the qualifications for each.

If you or your loved one does not qualify for Aid and Attendance, you may
want to check to see if you qualify for another level of the Pension.**Click
Here for the <http://www.veterana id.org/docs/ Improved_ Pension.pdf> Improved
Pension Beginner's Guide**Please browse this site using the menu on the left
to learn more about the Aid & Attendance Special Pension, Eligibility
Requirements, How to Apply, What to Expect and Resources to help you with
this critical benefit.

Also, please visit the Sponsor of this site who has made it possible to
disseminate this information to veterans and their families.We highly
recommend you visit the One Experience page of this site for critical
information on this process.

The Aid and Attendance (A&A) Special Pension provides benefits for veterans
and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person
to assist in eating, bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the
needs of nature. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in
a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in
an assisting living facility also qualifies.

The A&A Pension can provide up to $1,519 per month to a veteran, $976 per
month to a surviving spouse, or $1,801 per month to a couple*.Eligibility
must be proven by filing the proper Veterans Application for Pension or
Compensation. This application will require a copy of DD-214 (see below for
more information) or separation papers, Medical Evaluation from a physician,
current medical issues, net worth limitations, and net income, along with
out-of-pocket Medical Expenses.

A DD-214 is issued to military members upon separation from active service.
DD-214s were issued to separated service members beginning in the 1950's.
The term "DD-214" is often used generically to mean "separation papers" or
"discharge papers", no matter what form number was used to document active
duty military service.

If the VA has a copy of a DD-214, it is usually because the veteran attached
a copy (or sometimes, the original) to his or her application for disability
or education benefits. If you've lost your original DD-214 or a copy and you
are receiving (or applied for in the past) disability or education benefits
from the VA, they may have a copy (or the original, if you gave it to them)
on file.

At the very least, if you are currently receiving benefits (or did in the
past), they should be able to provide a Statement of Service, which can be
used instead of a "DD-214".