Coeur d’Alene VA Benefits Attorney
The VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit is available to help qualifying veterans pay for long-term care, but millions who have served our country are unaware of these valuable benefits to which they are entitled. The Aid and Attendance benefit can reduce long-term care costs by thousands of dollars each year. Contact a Coeur d’Alene VA benefits attorney today to determine if you are eligible for these benefits.
This special pension benefit was created to help veterans and their surviving spouses pay for medical care and other costs associated with maintaining their quality of life. The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment made for the rest of the qualifying veteran’s or surviving spouse’s lifetime. In order to qualify, the veteran’s income must be below the VA’s income/asset threshold for receiving this benefit.
To Qualify for This Benefit, the Veteran Must Meet Specific Requirements
There is an income/ assets threshold that you and your spouse must meet to qualify. This threshold is determined by looking at your total income and then deducting your medical expenses. The veteran must also have satisfied the following:
1. The Veteran must have served 90 consecutive days in active military duty
2. The Veteran must have received a better than dishonorable discharge
3. The Veteran must have served at least 1 day of active duty during a war period
4. The Widow must not have divorced the Veteran or remarried after the Veteran’s death
5. The Veteran or Widow must need assistance with their activities of daily living
With proper planning, the veteran or surviving spouse can qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits while preserving their assets. Regardless of whether they meet the asset threshold. A Coeur d’Alene VA benefits attorney can assist you with proper planning and filing for benefits.
What is the VA, Aid, and Attendance Benefit in Northern Idaho?
Senior veterans in Northern Idaho who require long-term medical care, either in a facility or at home, may be eligible for financial assistance through the Aid and Attendance benefit. This lifetime, monthly cash benefit may also be provided for the veteran’s surviving spouse.
Unfortunately, thousands of Northern Idaho veterans qualify for these benefits, but are unaware of their eligibility. Considering that annual long-term care costs often exceed $50 thousand dollars, it is in every veteran’s best interest to determine whether they qualify for VA benefits.
In addition to medical care, the Aid and Attendance benefit can help pay for assistance with daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, administration of medication, and transportation. When an individual struggles to complete these necessary daily tasks on their own, it can dramatically reduce their overall quality of life. At Evergreen Elder Law, we believe that protecting the quality of life for those who fought to protect the lives of their fellow Americans is crucial.
If you are a veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran, contact our Coeur d’Alene office to attain this cash benefit for the rest of your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do VA benefits transfer to surviving spouses?
A surviving spouse can apply for Aid and Attendance. A separate application must be filed and they will need to meet the asset and income test.
Do I need an attorney to file for VA benefits?
It is not required by law to have an attorney to file for VA benefits, but legal counsel is highly recommended. The application for VA benefits is notoriously complicated and initial denials are common. Having an experienced lawyer by your side can save you significant time, stress, and money.
If I Have Too Many Assets Can I Still Qualify?
Yes, a VA accredited attorney can help. Your assets can be reorganized so they are not countable.
Contact a Coeur d’Alene VA Benefits Lawyer Today
If you are applying for VA benefits for the first time, or your initial application has been denied, it is critical to contact a Coeur d’Alene VA Benefits attorney or representative without delay. Sadly, unqualified and ill-intentioned people take advantage of veterans by guaranteeing approval of benefits, wasting their time and money.
At Evergreen Elder Law, we are proud to offer qualified, compassionate, and highly-effective legal services to veterans throughout the Northern Idaho regions. We will review your case to quickly determine eligibility and help you navigate the complex application process. If you have been denied in the past, our experienced VA benefit lawyers can help you re-apply or appeal, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Contact Evergreen Elder Law today for a confidential consultation about your case.
Testimonials
I did some research and exploration and came upon the offices of Evergreen Elder Law. From the moment I spoke with the receptionist I felt respected, valued and regarded as an important client. I made an appointment for March 20, 2018. When I presented to their offices I spoke with someone who was sympathetic for my loss, confident that their offices could help and exuded competence. I was heartened to note that they were recognized as “Client Choice “Estate Law Office” for 2016.” And my experience with their offices made me a believer.
When my mother retired it became apparent we as a family needed help, Holland Mcburns was recommended by an acquaintance of the family. She was professional and very thorough and informative. I felt she was very up to date on the current opportunities that would best benefit my elderly mother, and make her retirement years worry free. After working with Mrs Mcburns, it was apparent that many people would benefit from her knowledge and dedication. I highly recommend her, and look forward to working with her on my estate planning.
Holland is very attentive and detail oriented. I felt well cared for, she returned calls promptly, and was always very sensitive to my needs. Holland gave me very good advice. She is very ethical and has legal services personalized to your needs.
Holland is a great listener and lawyer. When we came to her with our needs, she thoughtfully listened, was helpful with all our questions, and then explained our options. Her sense of humor helped us through some long waits with the system. In the end, we ended up with a surprisingly favorable settlement and a good friend in the courts.
Holland is truly one of the most sincere and professional attorneys I have come to know and over many years in the legal field. Her work is innovative in the complex area of estate planning and she strives to know the latest legal strategies to protect and represent her clients. Holland is dedicated to satisfying her clients’ needs and does it in a kind manner. She is a wonderful communicator both with her clients and with her colleagues. I highly recommend her to anyone in need of legal services.
The Evergreen Elder Law Team
Evergreen Elder Law is committed to helping you create comprehensive legal, financial, and physical security for you and your loved ones. Serving the Spokane, Tri Cities and Coeur d’Alene regions, we have the knowledge, compassion and professionalism to guide you in planning for the future, giving you peace of mind as you or a loved one makes important decisions for your family and future.
Let us provide you with a free 60-minute consultation. We are available throughout the week by phone and e-mail. Contact us now to set up the initial consultation, and we will make meeting with us easy. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you to come up with the best plan to meet your needs. We are available in-person or via tele-conference.