The Department of VA has stated it will hire 1,600 additional mental health care professionals by the end of June to address the increased psychological needs of veterans. From 2005 to 2012, the number of veterans receiving specialized treatment for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or other behavioral conditions has increased from 927,052 to 1.3 million. However, some worry that this initiative will do little to address the country’s shortage of mental health providers. Read the story.
Veterans and their families can learn about a Veterans benefit that will help cover the cost of long term care at a free seminar at the FSK American Legion Post #11, 1450 Taney Avenue, Frederick, Maryland. The seminar, presented by elder law attorney, David Wingate is Thursday, April 12 th, 2012, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The cost of long term care can be expensive, often times depleting assets that have been accumulated over a lifetime. But veterans may qualify for Aid and Attendance from the VA. Eligible veterans may qualify for a benefit of up to $2,000 a…
For veterans and the veteran’s surviving spouses who want in-home care or are in an assisted residing facility, help is available. The Veterans Administration has an underused pension called Aid and Attendance. This benefit gives money to those that require help performing regular basis tasks, bathing, feeding, dressing, or going to the bathroom, bedridden, blind, or residing in an assisted living facility or nursing home. However, you have to further qualify for this benefit. Aid and Attendance is available to veterans who served not less than 90 days, with at least one day during World War II, Korea, Vietnam or…
If the veteran died of a service connected condition, the maximum amount is $2,000.00. If the veteran was in receipt of any other kind of monetary benefit, the maximum benefit is $300.00 for burial and $300.00 for plot. If the veteran was none of the above, no burial benefit. Burial benefit is a reimbursement benefit. Therefore, the claimant must show that they personally paid “out of pocket” expenses related to the burial. The form is 21-530.
Even though mesothelioma-afflicted veterans are just as entitled to VA disability benefits as those who were wounded in battle, many struggle to get the compensation they deserve. The difficulty in obtaining VA benefits stems from the “burden of proof.” In order to qualify for benefits, a veteran must prove that their illness is related to asbestos exposure during their time of service. Because asbestos was so widely used up until the late 1970s—and because illnesses like mesothelioma may take 20 to 40 years to emerge—it can be a grueling process to pinpoint which product or application was responsible for…
Senior veteran households represent 55% of the 22.7 million veterans in the United States. However, most veterans are unaware of aid and attendance benefits. We provided a free seminar on service and non-service connected pensions, recently, with over 120 people attending. Only, one veteran had heard of aid and attendance benefits, and only about 5% of qualified U.S. senior veterans are actually receiving this benefit. Veterans you need to be aware of this benefit to offset the costs of assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and home care. For more information see our previous blogs, including Most Veterans are unaware that…
Qualifying veterans can receive care at VA facilities. Additionally, those 65 years old and older – and those with certain disabilities – may qualify for Medicare. The VA and Medicare offer different, yet valuable, benefits to veterans." Through the VA, eligible veterans have access to a full range of preventive outpatient and inpatient services, within the VA health care system, which includes hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, pharmacies and doctors nationwide. VA co-payments and deductibles, including the costs of prescription drugs, are generally less than Medicare. Eligibility for benefits is based on a priority system. According to the United States Department…
The VA has an array of benefits for veterans, including health, education, disability, service and non service connected benefits. If you have a pending claim or you need to verify the benefits that may be available to you, you can contact the VA directly and speak to a representative about your benefits by: Education benefits 888-442-4551 All other VA benefits 800-827-1000 Or by visiting a Veterans Affairs office and speaking to a VA representative about you VA benefits. VA facilities are in every. Call 800-827-1000 to speak with a VA representative if you need help in locating your local…
This new form is less complex, overwhelming, and intimidating. Therefore, Veterans who pick up the form, should not be overwhelmed, and give up, as they have done in the past. Additionally, the VA is addressing the processing of applications. In the past, Veterans could wait over a year for a decision. However, a Veteran can utilize a new procedure called the Fully Developed Claims (Form 21-527EZ). Consequently, the VA’s objective is to process claims within ninety (90) days. But, the form must be fully completed, when filed. Therefore, all information regarding discharge, medical and financial records must be provided, with…
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