VA Explanation

Q: I’ve heard that the VA will help me pay some of my medical bills when I have to bring people into my home or even help me pay for Assisted Living or even Independent living facilities.  How does that work?

A: There is a little known program from the Veteran’s Administration known as Improved Pension and one of those benefits under that program is Aid and Attendance.  The program is available to the Veteran, or their widow or widower, when the veteran served 90 days of active duty and one of those days during a time of war (not actually IN the war, just during the war). 

Also, the veteran must take into account their income but deduct from the income the amount of any unreimbursed medical expenses.  For example, if your income is $2,500 per month, but you spend $2,000 a month on unreimbursed medical care (including the cost of a facility if it is medically necessary) then your income is actually only $500.  The VA will then send you a check for $1449 to help cover those expenses.  Many times, we have folks get the entire amount of $1949 due to the expenses.  This money is income tax free!  There are asset limits but it can usually be easily fixed since there is no lookback period for the VA program.  So, yes, there is a significant benefit out there that most people don’t know about.  However, I have found that the VA offices are not very willing to give out this information and have even told people they were not qualified when in fact they were.  So, if you have questions or if you have been turned down, let us look at your case and see if we can help.