The Government’s Secret Veteran’s Financial Assistance Program

By Frederick E. Jones USAR, CPT, Retired

The Veterans Administration does not advertise this benefit. Consequently, most veterans don’t learn of this financial assistance. Those who learn of the pension very often gain this knowledge through pure luck, word of mouth or intensive and persistent research. If a veteran is fortunate enough to learn of this benefit, misinformation is rampant. Veterans Affairs and County Veteran Service Officers are frequent sources of misinformation. Although the Veteran Service Officer is suppose to provide free assistance, many either have never heard of the program, have little knowledge of the benefit or an imperfect understanding of the eligibility requirements and application process.

The application process is laborious and best left to a professional. You can apply yourself. However the Veterans Administration is an inherently complex bureaucracy. The application process is neither self evident or simple. An Eldercare professional can help you navigate the system. A professional may charge you for their services. However, if you attempt to complete the application yourself and fail, denial of the benefit will cost you much more.

The application is long and many parts require essay answers. The applicant’s response to the questions determines their eligibility. Unfortunately, the VA does not assist the applicant. There is a rulebook but the public is not allowed access to the book. In fact, the VA will not even tell you the rules. The VA is quick to reject the application and the rejection explanation is often incomprehensible. The VA will not tell you how to correct the application. They reject the application when they come to the first error. Additional errors may be present and unknown until the applicant resolves the first problem and resubmits the application. As a result the application is frequently denied and the applicant gives up or receipt of the benefit is delayed, often for two or more years. Processing time for an error free application averages three to eight months.

Benefit payments are retroactive. The effective date is the on the first of the month following the VA’s receipt of the initial application submission. The recipient receives a lump sum payment covering the processing period. Thereafter, the recipient receives a monthly payment as long as they are eligible. Eligibility is reviewed annually. Failure to complete the review or errors in completing the paperwork often results in lost of or reduction of the benefit.

To receive the benefits, the recipient must meet certain military service, medical and financial criteria. The eligibility requirements, especially the medical and financial requirements, are a tremendous source of misinformation or misinterpretation. Many veterans are mistakenly or incorrectly told that they are ineligible when in reality they are eligible. Other veterans may only need a few adjustments to qualify. Veterans Affairs or the Veteran Service Officer will not advise you of the needed adjustments.

The Eligibility Requirements are as Follows:

1. The veteran must have served a minimum of 90 consecutive days, one of which must have been during wartime. (WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Gulf War) There are specific eligibility dates surrounding these periods and the veteran must have served within these specified dates.
2. The veteran’s separation from service cannot be a dishonorable discharge.
3. They must have a medical or psychological condition that requires them to have daily assistance from others in at least two of the following areas: bathing, dressing, medication, toilet use, personal hygiene, ambulation, diabetic injections, dialysis or issues of incontinence. The claim must be supported by a physician’s statement as well as financial and medical records. The care can take place in a residence, Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home. The benefit is reduced to $90 per month if the recipient is in a Nursing Home and receives Medicaid.
4. Asset Criteria: There are maximum asset limits, An Eldercare professional is key to helping you adjust your assets to come in line with the criteria. The maximum assets that can be listed in their own name are $80,000 for married veterans and $50,000 for single veterans or surviving spouses. The age of the recipient can lower these limits. The primary home and a car are not counted towards the asset limits. If you have assets above these limits, an Eldercare professional can help you place the “above asset amounts” into sheltered investments. These sheltered assets due not count towards the asset limits.
5. Income Criteria: Frequently Veterans Affairs or County Veteran Service Officer will incorrectly state that you are ineligible if the household annual income exceeds $22,113 for a married veteran, $18,654 for a single veteran or $11,985 for a surviving spouse. Many times this is not accurate. The key is your medical expenses. If they exceed your income you are eligible for the maximum benefit, regardless of the stated limits under most circumstances. If your medical expenses are less than your income, you may be eligible for reduced benefits. Professional planning and assistance can help a veteran, their spouse or surviving spouse obtain tax-free income that can have a huge effect on the medical assistance that they receive as well as maintaining or perhaps even improving their standard of living. The application process is not easy but the benefit for those in need is tremendous.