If you are a veteran who served at least 90 days with even just one of these days taking place while the United States was involved in a war, you meet the length of service eligibility requirements for the Veterans Aid and Attendance special pension.
Long-term care is very expensive in the United States as a whole, and in California it is even more expensive with a room in a nursing home typically costing more than $100,000 annually. Assisted living communities are expensive as well, and even those who can remain at home with the assistance of in-home caregivers incur considerable expenses.
Veterans who qualify for the special pension receive a monthly benefit that they can use to help pay for their long-term care costs. In 2013, a single veteran who qualifies may receive as much as $1,732 per month; a surviving spouse can qualify for $1,113 per month; and a veteran and a spouse may qualify for $2,054 per month.
To gain eligibility, you must be able to prove that you do in fact need assistance with your day-to-day needs, and this would include things like bathing, grooming, cooking, shopping for necessities, etc.
You also must stay within certain upper financial asset limits because the program is designed for people who have financial need. However, certain valuables do not count when your eligibility is being determined, including one motor vehicle and your primary place of residence.
Medi-Cal can also be of assistance to Veterans who need long-term care. The best way to gain an understanding of the benefits that you may be entitled to is to go forward with the guidance of a licensed and experienced VA Accredited attorney.
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