 Member, National Academy of ElderLaw Attorneys ™
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Over 65, Illinois Wartime Veteran Benefit For Long-Term Care
VA Benefits: We can teach you the rules of veteran benefits in Illinois. Our team
speaks plain English. Learn the nuts and bolts about
the VA Benefits known as "Aid & Attendance"
and the "Survivor's Pension."
We use a common sense approach to teach you the nuts
and bolts about long-term care solutions in Illinois.
Wartime Veterans Aid & Attendance Benefits
Most VA pensions are only for veterans who were actually
wounded or disabled while they were serving in the
armed forces.
But......
Millions of wartime veterans and
their spouses may be eligible for special monthly
pension benefits solely
because they are over 65 years of age and are homebound,
in assisted/supportive living, or in a nursing home.
Those veterans and/or their survivors only need to
prove that their medical expenses exceed certain
income and asset limitations. The maximum benefit
available can provide significant help in paying for
long term care costs.
An elder law attorney can assist you and your family
by explaining many difficult-to-understand things
about long-term care. Qualification for a veteran
benefit is only one of several concerns that must
be considered. As you struggle to
provide dignified long-term care for a wartime veteran
and/or their spouse, we can help you understand the
options. We are your advocates
and we want to help you stretch your hard earned
money further. VA benefits are only one part of the
puzzle. We will hold your hand and guide you every
step of the way as we consider all of your and your family's
resources.
You may need guidance to make sense of the following:
- Estate plan documents such as powers of attorney,
wills, and possibly trusts
- Analysis of any income tax, estate tax, or gift
tax issues
- Care options available in the local community for
both the veteran and spouse
- A review of VA, Medicare, and Medicaid as they apply
to your circumstances
- A review of your personal, financial, and family
resources
- Analysis of financial suitability of any asset (preservation)
- Analysis of both positives and negatives of all planning
options
- A calculation of the actual dollar benefit and/or
cost of any helpful idea that is discussed
- Possible submission of the VA claim form.
Once a veteran has expressed that he or she
wants to file a specific claim for VA benefits,
an attorney who prepares the claim must do so
on a free (pro bono) basis (see point 9 above)
or refer you to the Veterans Administration
or a Veterans Service Organization which will
prepare your claim for free.
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