Last post I was pretty disappointed in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense for taking so long to “study” how they would pay veterans the money already due them.
Well I’m not totally an pessimist and as a government annuitant I certainly am grateful for the benefits I do receive. So lest everyone think I’m just a reactionary, here’s a VA benefit I just found out about that can really help in veterans, veteran’s spouses and widows. Not only is it good news, it’s another factor that needs to be considered when valuing a couple’s assets prior to divorce.
The full article is here: A short synopsis:
All wartime veterans otherwise qualified for benefits (generally this means honorably discharged or discharged with a general discharge under honorable conditions) are eligible for this benefit if they need assisted living or nursing home care.
To qualify, veterans must:
• Have served in wartime, though they didn’t have to see combat.
• Have no more than $80,000 in assets, not counting the family home, car and personal possessions.
• Prove financial need, usually by demonstrating expenses exceed their income.
• Show they need someone to help them with basic activities of living, such as bathing, grooming or eating.
The monthly benefit pays up to:
• $1,470 to a veteran.
• $945 to a surviving spouse.
• $1,743 to a couple.
Now in today’s world of health care costs these amounts, like many VA benefits are less than what’s probably needed, as as my old compadre, Freddy Furple of the friendly Furple family of Floria, Florida used to say, “They are a heck of a lot better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.”
So if you’re a vet, the spouse or widow of a vet or a family member helping to shoulder the cost of caring for a vet, check this out.
Related posts:
- Long Term Care 101
- Military Retirement — Special Six-Part Series
- Military Retirement — Special Six-Part Series — Part 5 — Spouse Benefits
- Military Retirement — Special Six-Part Series — Part 2 — Death Benefits
- Military Retirement — Special Six-Part Series — Part 2 — Death Benefits
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
