VA Benefits Planning
Are you a Veteran? There are a variety of benefits available:
1. VA Health
If you qualify for VA health care, you’ll receive coverage for the services you need to help you get—and stay—healthy. Learn more about your health care benefits here.
What care and services does VA health care cover?
Each Veteran’s medical benefits package is unique. Yours will include care and services to help:
Treat illnesses and injuries
Prevent future health problems
Improve your ability to function
Enhance your quality of life
All Veterans receive coverage for most care and services, but only some will qualify for added benefits like dental care. The full list of your covered benefits depends on all of the following:
Your priority group
The advice of your VA primary care provider (your main doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant)
The medical standards for treating any health conditions you may have
2. Veterans’ State Homes
What is a State Veterans Home?
State Veterans Homes are facilities that provide nursing home, domiciliary, and/or adult day care. They are owned, operated, and managed by state governments. They date back to the post-Civil War era when many states created them to provide shelter to homeless and disabled Veterans.
To participate in the State Veterans Home program, VA must formally recognize and certify a facility as a State Veterans Home. VA then surveys all facilities each year to make sure they continue to meet VA standards.
State Veterans Homes are in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, some states having more than one. For a list of locations, visit the Directory of State Homes.
3. VA Disability Compensation
VA disability compensation (pay) offers a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to Veterans whose service made an existing condition worse. You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service. Learn more here on how to apply for and manage the Veterans disability benefits you've earned.
4. VA Aid and Attendance
The VA Aid And Attendance is a program available from the Department of Veterans Affairs that doesn’t get quite as much face time as better-known military benefits, but it is a very important one for qualified veterans who have wartime service and are qualified to receive a VA Pension. Aid and Attendance is available to qualifying low-income veterans (or their spouses) who are in nursing homes or who need in-home care help with everyday tasks like dressing or bathing. Aid and Attendance provides money to those who need assistance.
Who Qualifies for a VA Pension?
In general, a qualifying veteran has a minimum of 90 days on active duty with at least one day during a time of war or hostilities as described by the VA to successfully apply for a VA Pension.
Those entering active duty on or after September 7, 1980 must in general have least 24 months of service or the full period the veteran was ordered to active duty (some exceptions apply) with at least one day during a time of war or hostilities.
Am I eligible for Veterans Pension benefits from VA?
If you meet the VA pension eligibility requirements listed below, you may be eligible for the Veterans Pension program.
Both of these must be true:
You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge
Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth includes all personal property you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. Your net worth includes the net worth of your spouse. Learn more about about Veterans Pension rates.
And at least one of these must be true about your service. You:
Started on active duty before September 8, 1980 and you served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime
Started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980 and served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during wartime
Were an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981 and you hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months
And at least one of these must be true. You:
Are at least 65 years old
Have a permanent and total disability
Are a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability
Are getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income
As part of our planning, we can assist with the Aid and Attendance benefit. Contact us to learn more.