Aid and Attendance Benefits for Veterans in Hackensack, New Jersey

New Jersey Veterans Benefits Law Firm

Many families in Hackensack face the challenge of providing care for aging or disabled veterans or their surviving spouses. Unfortunately, many are unaware of a critical benefit available through the Department of Veterans Affairs: Aid and Attendance. This benefit can help cover the costs of care for qualified veterans and their surviving spouses. At the Law Offices of Benjamin D. Eckman, we assist veterans and their families in navigating the eligibility requirements for Aid and Attendance, ensuring they receive the maximum benefits they are entitled to.

What is Aid and Attendance?

Aid and Attendance is a pension benefit paid in addition to the basic pension rate for wartime veterans who are seriously disabled, have limited income, and are either over 65 or permanently disabled if under 65. It is not dependent on service-related injuries. Some key points about this benefit include:

Aid and Attendance is available to wartime veterans and their surviving spouses.
Medical and financial qualifications must be met.
The benefit can be used to help pay for care in the home, nursing home, or assisted living facilities.

Applying for Aid and Attendance Benefits

Applying for Aid and Attendance can be a complex and lengthy process. While the forms are available for individuals to complete on their own, a denied application can result in a year-long wait before reapplying. Because of the complexity and the risk of delays, many people seek legal assistance. Note: It is illegal for anyone to charge you a fee to complete the application or file for benefits.

Aid and Attendance Benefit Amounts

As the cost of care continues to rise, Aid and Attendance benefits can make a significant difference. The national median monthly rates for assisted living, nursing home care, and home health services are substantial, with assisted living facilities averaging $4,500 per month, nursing homes at $7,908 per month, and home health aides at $5,148 per month.

As of 2023, the maximum monthly benefits are as follows:

Basic Veterans Pension / Survivors Pension:

• Veteran without spouse or dependents: $1,336/month
  Married veteran: $1,750/month
  Surviving spouse: $896/month

Aid & Attendance Pension:

• Veteran without spouse or dependents: $2,229/month
• Married veteran: $2,642/month
• Surviving spouse: $1,432/month

Housebound Pension:

• Veteran without spouse or dependents: $1,632/month
• Married veteran: $2,046/month
• Surviving spouse: $1,095/month
  Please note that actual benefit amounts may vary based on individual circumstances.

Eligibility for Aid and Attendance

To qualify for Aid and Attendance, veterans and their surviving spouses must meet certain service, medical, and financial requirements.

Service Requirements:

The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one of those days during wartime.
The veteran must have received a discharge other than dishonorable.

Medical Requirements:

The veteran or spouse must require assistance with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, and feeding, or be blind or bedridden due to disability.
Alternatively, the applicant must be a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity.

Financial Requirements:

Aid and Attendance is designed for veterans and spouses with limited financial resources. The VA assesses both countable income and net worth when determining eligibility. Income and Net Worth Limits for 2023

To qualify, a veteran’s countable income must be less than the maximum annual pension rate. Countable income includes all sources of income but may be reduced by unreimbursed medical expenses (UMEs), such as home health services, prescription drugs, or medical equipment.

As of 2023, the net worth limit for veterans and surviving spouses is $150,538. This includes assets like bank accounts, retirement funds, and property, but does not count the primary residence or a vehicle.

How We Can Help

Attorney Benjamin D. Eckman is an accredited attorney with the Veterans Administration and has extensive experience helping veterans in Hackensack and their families navigate the Aid and Attendance application process. We review your income and assets to develop strategies that maximize your benefits while protecting your eligibility for other important programs like Medicaid.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin planning for your future security. It’s never too early or too late to start planning for the care and benefits you deserve.