Who Qualifies for VA Survivor Benefits in Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho
What is the Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit?
In a recent discussion with a client, the subject of ‘Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit’ came up. When I asked my client, who is a military veteran, if he was taking advantage of this benefit his response was that he never heard of it.
Once again it got me wondering how many other veterans have “never heard of it”. Turns out there may be millions of our veterans that don’t take advantage of the benefits they are entitled to. This also means their surviving spouses aren’t receiving
the va survivor either.
So what is it? The Aid and Attendance benefit helps senior veterans in Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho when paying for long-term care. And, if they are in the Eastern Washington area, there are no doubt thousands qualify for these benefits considering the proximity to military bases.
The VA Aid and Attendance benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. To qualify for this benefit, you and your spouse must meet a certain income and asset threshold.
Additionally, to quality veteran must also have must have met the following:
- The Veteran must have served 90 consecutive days on active military duty
- The Veteran must have received a better than dishonorable discharge
- The Veteran must have served at least 1 day of active duty during a war period
- The Widow must not have divorced the Veteran or remarried after the Veteran’s death
- The Veteran or Widow must need assistance with their daily living activities
How Much Does a Surviving Spouse Get From The VA in Washington or Idaho?
VA benefits are also available to surviving spouses. Widows may be eligible for the VA survivor benefits if at least one of the requirements listed here is met:
- You need another person to help you perform daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and dressing.
- You have to stay in bed—or spend a large portion of the day in bed—because of illness.
- You are a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability.
- Your eyesight is limited (even with glasses or contact lenses you have only 5/200 or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less)
Contact An Experienced Attorney Today For Guidance With Your VA Benefits Application
As you can see this is a lot to take in and can be a bit confusing. Evergreen Elder Law is VA Accredited in both Washington and Idaho. Our dedicated VA benefits attorneys can quickly determine if you are eligible for this benefit and guide you through the complicated application process. Even if you have been denied this benefit in the past, we may still be able to help you either re-apply or appeal. We offer free, confidential consultations in person and over the phone. Contact us today for more information.
