Veterans deserve to be thanked for their service to our country not just for a short while but they should be taken care of in their golden years too. This care should be extended to their surviving spouses as well.
Any military spouse knows how difficult it is to maintain a brave face and good attitude while their loved one is serving in the military, whether during war or peacetime active enlistment.
If you are a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran and you live in the South Bay area, there are funding options available to help you make your golden years easier, especially when it comes to senior care and senior living.
What Is Veterans’ Aid?
A low-income veteran who is aged 65 or older or their surviving spouse may be eligible for a pension from the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Veterans’ Aid is available to all veterans who have served at least 90 days active service, at least one of which was during an active period of war. Whether the veteran or surviving spouse needs some or total home health care or needs to be placed into an assisted living facility, the VA may be able to assist in curtailing some (or in some cases all) of the cost.
Who Is Eligible?
There are three different levels of VA benefits: basic pension, homebound benefit, and aid and assistance. Listed below is a breakdown of who is eligible via each benefit plan:
Basic Pension: Financial assistance to veterans and their surviving spouses or dependents. Applicants may be healthy.
Housebound Benefits: Assistance must be needed for day-to-day activities – available to veterans and their surviving spouses.
Aid & Assistance: Available to veterans and their surviving spouses – assistance is required on a daily basis for basic life skills and basic activities
How Do I Apply?
As with any form of veterans’ assistance, contact the VA and ask to speak with a Veterans’ Services Officer or Services Officer volunteer. Applying for benefits can be a complex process, and the people who work on behalf of the VA make understanding your options much easier than if you tried to navigate this process completely on your own.
If you need help determining what benefits are available to you or if you need help applying for benefits, there are three ways to contact someone to get assistance. Call (877) 222-VETS and ask to speak to someone in the Health Services Center, visit your local Veterans’ Benefits office or medical facility, or visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs web site at https://www.va.gov.
Speak with an elderly care attorney as well so you can ensure you are getting all the benefits you need and are entitled to. These dedicated professionals not only know the state legal system, but they can also help you navigate the difficult process of making sure you choose the best benefit plan and make sure extended health care decisions are the best ones for you.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that we are not experts in this area. This article has been researched and written using the information we have garnered from reliable sources. Please consult with financial and legal experts for the best information and professional advice regarding your personal situation.
