Cash for Veterans

Monthly Cash Payments for Veterans

 

As a Veteran are you entitled to a monthly cash payment to offset the burden of nursing home, assisted living, or in-home care costs?

 

What is Veterans Benefits Planning?

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If you are a wartime veteran or the spouse of a wartime veteran, you may be entitled to receive a monthly cash payment to offset the burden of nursing home, assisted living, or in-home care costs. The monthly cash payment available from the Veteran’s Administration is paid through the Aid and Attendance Program and is referred to as a monthly “pension.” If you are a veteran and you qualify, you are entitled to receive a monthly cash payment of $ 1,794 (2017). If you have a spouse, you will receive an additional amount each month. If you are the surviving spouse of a wartime veteran and you qualify, you are entitled to receive a monthly cash payment of $ 1,153 (2016).

To qualify for benefits, you must present medical records showing you meet the medical eligibility requirements. You must also show you have limited income and assets. The Veteran’s Administration will also take a close look at your financial assets, including bank accounts, brokerage accounts, life insurance, annuities, and retirement accounts.

 

Who Benefits from Veterans Benefits Planning?

 

If you are a wartime veteran or the spouse of a wartime veteran who is burdened by nursing home, assisted living, or in-home care costs, you would benefit from speaking to a professional to determine whether you might qualify for Illinois Aid and Attendance monthly pension benefits. If you:

• Need assistance to perform the activities of daily living (e.g. dressing, eating, bathing, etc.); and

• Honorable discharge; and

• Served at least 90 consecutive days on active duty, at least one day of which was during a period of war, then you might be eligible for Illinois Aid and Attendance monthly pension benefits.

 

You did not have to actually experience combat to qualify; you did not have to serve overseas to qualify; you did not have to be injured or suffer a wound during your military service; your spouse did not have to die in service for you to be eligible for benefits; and you can be the spouse of a veteran and still qualify for benefits; you can continue to live at home and qualify for benefits.

 

What Should You Expect During the Planning Process?

The first step in the planning process is to call our office at 630-871-8778 or request a call here. Our staff will ask you a few questions about your planning needs and let you know how our firm works and what to expect. If you would like to schedule an initial meeting with an attorney, our staff will send you a new client information packet.

 

The packet includes a Personal Information Worksheet, which will help you start the information gathering process. Fill out the worksheet and return it to our office prior to your initial meeting. The initial meeting is a working meeting, and we want you to get as much out of it as possible.

 

At your initial meeting, the attorney, either Kirsten Izatt or attorney Bill Deitch, will gather information about your personal care needs, monthly expenses, your goals regarding long term care, and your financial resources. We will discuss the benefits that might be available to you if you qualify, the application process, and what role we would play in that process.

 

At that time, if you would like to retain us to do an assessment regarding whether you might be eligible for benefits, you may do so. We will discuss fees with you in advance. Once the assessment is completed, we will make a recommendation to you about whether you might qualify for benefits, and you will have the information you need to decide whether you would like to file an application for benefits.

 

If you decide to file an application, you will not be charged any further fees.