Tag Archives: Veterans Assisted Living

Proposed Changes to the VA’s Home Aid And Attendance Program

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The VA is proposing changes to the Aid and Attendance program. It is an attempt to streamline the system to award it faster while preventing those without economic or physical need from receiving it.

The VA is proposing changes to the Aid and Attendance program. It is an attempt to streamline the system to award it faster while preventing those without economic or physical need from receiving it.

In January of this year, the Department of Veteran Affairs made some suggested changes to programs that it offers to veterans in need, including the Aid and Attendance program.

You can find the proposed changes in their entirety here.  The changes come because of a 2012 report issued by the GAO.

Reasons for the change:

  • Pension Used By Those Not In Need Financially or Physically: The VA had concerns that veterans and others were attempting to hide assets in order to gain access to the programs that were meant for needs-based veterans and their surviving spouses.  Also, they felt that people were using the pension who did not really need it as they do not need care in the home.
  • Excessive Care Costs: The VA desired to put a cap on the amount per hour that care companies charge for home care standards to come more in line with industry standards.
  • Slow Response Time For Help: The VA realized that the speed at which they were able to award the pension was hindered by the complexity of the current application process, both to the VA and to those applying for the program.  They feel the new regulations will allow the VA to award the pension in a more timely manner.

Proposed Changes:

  • Establish a 3-year look-back for claimants to see if they are trying to hide assets through “gifts.”
  • Deny any expenses related to independent living facilities as care costs UNLESS the veteran and/or spouse requires assistance with two or more activities of daily living (eating, bathing, getting dressed, etc).
  • Impose penalties for up to 10 years for claimants who transfer assets before applying for pension to create the appearance of economic need where it does not exist
  • Create a bright-line net worth standard of $119,220, which includes annual income (not including their residence – the goal is to streamline the process so qualified veterans and their spouses can get the award faster)
  • Require veterans to sell their homestead property if the lot coverage exceeds 2 acres.
  • Create a maximum amount that care companies can charge per hour for services.

We at 1 Assist Care have seen veterans and their spouses struggle as they have had to wait for approval for a program.  Anything the VA can do to speed up the process, we are highly in favor of.

 

Qualifications for Assisted Living Benefits for Veterans and their Spouses from the VA

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Outside of Idaho? Check out the Veteran Assisted Living Network site to start the qualification process.

This is something that you will want to know about.

If you are a veteran, a spouse of a veteran, or the loved one of a veteran (or the loved one of a spouse of a veteran), you will want to know about this.

It is called the Aid and Attendance and Housebound allowance that is added to the monthly pension check. It is intended to help veterans and their spouses who either need some help with the tasks of daily living (cooking, cleaning, personal care) – or it can even be used to help pay for residential care at an assisted living facility.

Picture of an elderly Veteran Saluting as part of am article that discusses assisted living benefits that veterans and their spouses qualify for from the VAEither way, it is a pretty great deal.

So often as we visit with veterans and their loved ones, we more often than not find two things to be the case:

  1. They do not know about the program
  2. They do not know the qualifications of the program

So here is a quick rundown of the what it takes to know if you, or someone you loves, qualifies. Just go through this initial checklist. And remember, spouses of veterans (whether the veteran has passed on or is still alive) can receive these benefits.

  • Was the veteran honorably discharged?
  • Did the veteran serve during a time of war
        • Clarification – they did not need to be deployed to the war, as long as they served active duty during a war
        • Second Clarification – this could be World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf, etc
  • Does the veteran (or spouse) have need of daily living activities due to either an illness or physical affliction?

If the answer is yes to these three questions, and you are looking at assisted living help, either at home or at an assisted living facility, then drop us a line and we will help you with the following:

  • Understanding the application process with the VA
    • Including helping you to know how to get the necessary paperwork regarding military service
    • We cannot fill out or sumbit any paperwork. This must be performed by the applicant, or someone approved by the VA.
  • Locating a home care company or an assisted living facility that will work with you as a veteran, the surviving spouse of a veteran, or their loved one.

Fill out your contact information below and we will reach out to you to begin the application process. Don’t live in our area? Not a problem, fill in the information and we will put you in touch with someone in your area who will help you:

Note: 1 Assist Care of the Valley is not any way affiliated with the US Department of Veterans Affairs nor is 1 Assist Care of the Valley compensated for assisting with the application process. We are simply an assisted living care company that helps veterans and their spouses receive the daily living care that they require.