Arkansas VA Benefits F.A.Q.

Who Can Help Me Fill Out the Veterans Benefits Forms?

Any private individual may assist with completing the veterans benefits application forms; however, this individual is allowed to assist ONLY one person. A VA accredited agent or a service organization, such as your local State Veterans Office, VFW, or American Legion may help you, as well as a VA accredited attorney.
NO-ONE may charge you for helping you prepare or present the VA application forms, but you should be sure that the person understands VA benefits.

What are the Advantages of Having an Attorney Assist Me with my VA Benefits Application?

An attorney may assist you with much more than just the VA Benefits application, such as making sure that all of your assets are in order to help prevent a denial of your VA Benefits claim and with other paperwork that might be needed to help prove your VA claim. An attorney must be certified through the VA and as such, can represent you before the VA if your claim is denied or if the VA Benefits award is incorrect.

Must I Already be Living in an Assisted Living Community Before I Apply for VA Benefits?

No, it is not necessary to be living in assisted living in order to apply for VA benefits; however, if you are in need of personal assistance, the entire cost of assisted living helps to qualify you for VA benefits, but you must be a current resident to submit these expenses to the VA as a deduction off income.

How Long Does It Take to Find Out if I am Eligible for VA Benefits?

An attorney should be able to give you an idea of your qualification for VA benefits within thirty minutes; however, in order to be absolutely certain that you qualify for VA benefits, the attorney would need to review all of you financial, personal, military, and medical records.

How Long Does It Take for Me to Get My First VA Benefits Check?

Once an application is turned into the VA, it can take anywhere from five to eight months on average to get your VA Benefits check if you are approved for VA benefits. If you have dementia or other memory loss issues, the VA will insist on meeting you and your representative before sending you a VA Benefits check, so your award may be delayed another four to six months on average.

Does the VA Benefit Money Come to Me or Straight to the Assisted Living Facility?

All VA benefits are paid to the claimant and not to any facility.

Can I Have my VA Benefits Deposited Directly Into My Bank Account?

Yes, the VA actually prefers to have all VA Benefits checks directly deposited into a bank account. If you have memory loss issues, the VA will insist on a direct deposit.

Are my VA Benefits Retroactive Back to When I First Applied for the Benefits or Does It Start the Day/Month I Get Approved for VA Benefits?

VA Benefits are retroactive from the first day of the next month after the VA receives your application for benefits OR your first notice of intent to file for VA benefits. An attorney can help you preserve this Informal Award Date. In order for the VA benefits to be retroactive, you must live through the entire month after the VA receives your first Informal Request or application, whichever is received first. In addition: if you are filing an Informal Request for VA Benefits, you must be alive when the rest of the application is submitted and you have one year from the date of the Request to get the rest of your application into the VA.

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