VA Disability Benefits
- Author Greg Cook
- Published January 17, 2008
- Word count 464
VA disability benefits are available for war-time veterans or their
surviving spouse whether or not your disability is
service-connected. There are many veterans and surviving spouses of
deceased veterans from World War II and Korea that don’t even know
they qualify!
It is a shame that this is one of the VA’s best kept secret.
Of the two VA disability benefits, the one discussed here is the
non-service connected disability pension. This benefit has a three
tier payment level depending on your particular situation.
Disability Pension
To be eligible you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have been discharged under other than
dishonorable
conditions.
- If you enlisted before September 7, 1980, you
must have served
90 days or more of active duty with at least one day during a
period of war. Anyone who enlisted after September 7, 1980,
however, must serve at least 24 months or the full period for which
that person was called to serve.
- You must be permanently and totally disabled,
or age 65 or
older. The Veterans Administration no longer requires those over
age 65 to submit evidence they have a disability that prevents them
from working.
- In addition, your "countable" income must be
below the yearly
limit set by law; called the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR).
The MAPR for 2008 are: Veteran with no dependents $11,181 Veteran
with a spouse or a child $14,643 5. If you are housebound, which
basically means you can no longer safely drive, the MAPR for 2008
are:
Housebound veteran with no dependents
$13,664
Housebound veteran with one dependent
$17,126
Add, for each additional dependent
$1,909
Aid And Attendance Entitlement
If the veteran needs help with the basic activities of daily living
(dressing, bathing, grooming, hygiene, toileting, etc.) they may
qualify for additional disability pension benefits. The veteran
will need to show that he or she needs home care on a regular and
permanent basis, or lives in an assisted living facility. The Aid
and Attendance benefit MAPR for 2008 are:
Veteran who needs aid and attendance with
no dependents
$18,654
Veteran who needs aid and attendance with
one dependent
$22,113
VA Disability Benefits Payment
The actual amount of your disability pension will depend on your
"countable" income. Countable income is your gross income minus
qualified health care expenses. The VA will pay you the difference
between your "countable" income and the MAPR that matches your
personal situation. The VA disability pension will be paid directly
to you in 12 equal payments.
How To Apply
You can apply for the VA disability benefits by filling out VA Form
21-526, Parts A,B,C and D plus multiple additional forms and
documentation.
For more information on VA disability benefits you can visit
Veterans Care Advisors website www.veteranscareadvisors.com
where you will be able to find tips and best practices to help you
successfully obtain the VA disability pension benefit.
Greg Cook is a consultant with extensive experience dealing with governmental agencies in the financial world and with major non-profit organizations. He has helped hundreds of senior citizens successfully navigate the long term care industry.
He is a senior advocate, geriatric care manager and a Certified Senior Advisor.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Timeless Toothcare: Dental Hygiene Tips for Seniors
- Saving Old Smiles: How In-House Dental Discount Plans Help Seniors
- Where You Live Affects Your Likelihood of a Dementia Diagnosis! Here’s What You Can do Medically and Legally.
- The Real Cost Of Being A Carer
- How to Help Senior Parents Adapt to Using a Wheelchair
- Best & Worst Counties for Care in the UK
- Uncovering Elder Abuse in Atlanta, GA: Recognizing Signs and Seeking Justice
- The Latest Innovations in Technology for Seniors
- Things to consider before buying a retirement property
- Is There Any Such Thing as Being Too Old for Dental Implants?
- 4 Reasons Regular Dental Care for Seniors in Assisted Living Is Important
- Paying for Long Term Care
- Why the job of a carer is vital at Christmas
- 7 Things To Know To Help Aging Veterans
- Simple Medical Alert Devices For Seniors
- Seniors Places Connect Independent Living, Assisted Living & Memory Care Communities
- Is It a Miracle or a Coincidence?
- The Importance of Dental Care for Seniors
- How Commercial Cleaning Can Benefit Your Business
- Goodbye Momma...
- Insurance Industry inflicts more pain on COVID affected Care Homes
- Knoxville Funeral Services: Five Benefits of Pre-Planning Services
- The Gentry Griffey Knoxville Funeral Home Understands How You Feel.
- Programs and Services for the Elderly in California
- How To Spend This Summer With Your Elderly Parents
- Cost Of Assisted Living in your State
- Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Elder Abuse
- The Financial Side of Being a Caregiver
- A Senior Living Neighborhood Can Be Life Transforming
- Management of Hypertension in Seniors | Best Practices