Are you a wartime veteran or the spouse of one and in need of assistance with activities of daily living? Are you currently living in a Senior Living community or thinking of moving into one? If so, you may be eligible to receive a significant monthly income from the Department of Veterans Affairs through a program called the Aid and Attendance Pension.

Sadly, most veterans and their families are not aware of this benefit and therefore believe they cannot afford the care they need or are forced to move to Medicaid facilities when their money runs out. Like any government program, you must take the initiative to apply and the application process is not simply explained. Minor mistakes on the application or omission of any of the necessary supporting documents can cause delays or even rejection of benefits.

To be eligible, the veteran must have served a minimum of 90 days active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period. Below is a breakdown of the maximum monthly benefit amounts for 2012:

Surviving spouse of a veteran: $1,094

Married couple, if only the spouse needs care: $1,337

Single veteran: $1,703

Married couple, if the veteran needs care: $2,019

Here is how it works…….Mr. Jones is a single veteran who moves into a Brookdale Senior Living community because he has severe macular degeneration. His monthly income is $1,400 in Social Security, $350 in Pension and he spends $3,000 for Assisted Living. The VA will calculate Mr. Jones’ net income after medical expenses to be $0 - therefore he is entitled to the maximum benefit of $1,703 per month. If his income is higher than assisted living expenses, Mr. Jones may be entitled to a partial payment. All of this income is tax-free!

Brookdale Senior Living offers numerous care options including Independent and Assisted Living, Dementia Care, Skilled Nursing and Life Care. What makes the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit so impactful for our residents is that qualifying veterans and their spouses at all of our communities are potentially eligible. VA regulations state as long as the resident needs to live in a "protected environment," which our communities provide, the fees paid to Brookdale are deductible expenses to the extent that they represent payment for medical treatment.

There is much confusion about how retirement savings or the sale of a home impacts eligibility for the Aid and Attendance Pension. Contrary to what some believe, there is no specific dollar amount at which the VA will say "you have too much money." In reality, the Department of Veterans Affairs reviews the facts and circumstances in each case, this includes income, age, medical expenses, and type of assets involved. Even those with higher net worth can become eligible with proper planning.

Every family’s situation is unique and the benefits they are entitled to vary greatly, therefore you should discuss your circumstances with someone knowledgeable about this specific government program; there are many great resources such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or the American Legion. You can also seek guidance from a professional who specializes in VA benefits. One word of caution, it is a violation of Federal Regulations to charge for this assistance. If anyone tries to collect a fee for help with preparation or filing of the initial application, they are breaking the law.

At Brookdale Senior Living we are always looking for resources to help our families afford the care they need. One that has successfully helped many Brookdale families is Veterans Financial, Inc. They offer free information about Aid and Attendance and will provide the necessary forms and supporting documents to apply for the benefit. Visit www.VeteransFinancial.com for more information about the Aid and Attendance Pension.