Housebound Veteran Pension Benefit Amounts

Today, I am going to talk about the next level of VA pension benefits available to a veteran.  As a review of my previous post, the first and smallest level of benefits is basic pension.  Now I am going to discuss the next amount of benefits for a qualified veteran or qualified surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.

This is essentially free government money for house bound veterans, and the reason for being housebound does not have to be the result of a wartime injury.  That is for VA compensation benefits to cover. 

The sums of money available for housebound veterans are higher than basic pension because of the additional need for money to pay for the long term care of the veteran.   The sums of money available to the qualified veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran for housebound care is:

1. Veteran with a dependent - Annually $18,120 or Monthly $1,510;
2. Single Veteran - Annually $14,457 or Monthly $1,204;
3. Surviving Spouse - Annually $9,696 or Monthly $808; and
4. Surviving Spouse w/dependent - Annually $11,716 or Monthly $976.

As you see, the monthly housebound benefit is higher than the basic VA pension benefit. If you are over the age of 65, then all you have to do is prove to the VA that your housebound: a much easier task that one would expect.  Again this is free government assistance to veterans for long term health care, I suggest that you contact a Florida elder law attorney to learn more on how to qualify and apply for the maximum benefit.

Maximum VA Basic Pension Benefit Amounts

If you have been reading along, you are not at the point where you are wondering: how much money are we talking about if I get these VA benefits?

First, there are three levels of benefits that a qualified veteran or qualified surviving spouse of a veteran can obtain.  This article is going to discuss the lowest maximum threshold amount of money a VA pension benefit recipient can receive.  There are two more levels of VA pension benefits that a qualified person may receive.  The basic VA pension benefit payout for 2010 is:

1. Veteran with a dependent - Annually $15,493 or Monthly $1,291;
2. Single Veteran - Annually $11,830 or Monthly $985;
3. Surviving Spouse of a Decease Veteran - Annually $7,933 or Monthly $661; and
4. Surviving Spouse with a dependent - Annually $10,195 or Monthly $693.

Remember that these sums are additional government assistance paid in cash directly to the veteran or surviving spouse.  These sums are not paid directly to the health care providers.  These amounts are for the basic pension - you can get even more if you can prove additional need for assistance such as a 100% disability rating, proving that you are housebound, and/or showing that you cannot do basic life functions.  This could be a new, additional income stream for a person in need of long term health care assistance that you could not get with interest on large certificates of deposit or savings accounts. 

Instead watching you assets dwindle down to nothing to get these benefits, you can be proactive to preserve your assets.  Contact me to find out more on how to qualify.

Florida VA Pension Benefits: Why Should I Care?

You have stumbled on this blog about Florida VA pension benefits.  Great!  You may even read a post I have written to see if you qualify for VA pension benefits as the veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran.  Now comes your next question:  why should I care about these benefits?

1) Long-term health care costs are eating away at your savings.  Learn about the specific costs of long term health care in Florida here.  In Jacksonville, an assisted living home costs $ 3,250 per month out of pocket.  If you need a home health care aide in Jacksonville, the aide on average costs $ 19 per hour.  Five hours a day for an in home care aide will run $100 per day in Jacksonville, Florida!  That is a lot of money if you look long term.  The VA pension benefits will pay qualified recipients cash for these expensive health care costs beginning on the date that you apply for the benefits.  If you are middle class and have a modest nest egg, the ultimate result of the long term health care cost could leave you at such a low net worth that you will end up qualifying for the VA pension anyways.   Why not get yourself in the position to apply for the benefits now rather than wait until all your savings are gone?

2)  You can pass on more wealth to your family and still receive care in your home.  As you may have figured out, you will have to essentially give away everything except your Florida homestead and a low sum of cash in order to qualify.  Why not give your family their inheritance now instead of seeing their inheritance being eaten away by long term health care costs?  Your children and grandchildren may need money now, so who would you rather see paid with your retirement savings: your family or your health care providers.  Unlike medicaid that forces you in a nursing home, a veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran can receive money to pay for home health care aides, these home health care aides could be family members.

From reading this article, you may have determine that in order to get VA pension benefits, you will have to "give it all away."  It is not as harsh as I make it sound.  If you live in Florida or have a veteran family member living in Florida, contact a Florida elder law attorney to determine if the veteran or surviving spouse qualifies for VA pension. 

Basic Qualifications for a Surviving Spouse of a Florida Veteran to Receive Pension Benefits

The key for Florida seniors to pay for long term health care is to find a source to pony up the money.  The sources generally are 1) your savings, 2) long term health care insurance, or 3) the government.  Today, I am going to discuss the qualifications for a Florida surviving spouse or widow of a veteran to receive government money for long term health care.  In other words, how a person can receive a veteran's death pension.

Here is a checklist for the basic requirements for a surviving spouse to receive VA pension benefits:

1)  The surviving spouse must have been married to the veteran for one year prior to the veteran's death;
2)  The veteran met the requirements to receive the VA pension, including the income requirement; and
3)  The veteran and surviving spouse lived together before the vet's death (separations will not qualify).

If you are a Florida resident that was married to a veteran that has passed away, contact a Florida elder law attorney with knowledge of VA aid and attendance benefits to discuss your qualifications for VA death pension further.  If you qualify, you will be able to receive cash that could go to pay for long term health care - you do not have to go to the nursing home to qualify!

Basic Qualifications for a Veteran to Receive VA Pension Benefits

Veterans pension benefits are out there for Florida's veterans and the VA does not want you to know about it.  Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, I've met plenty of families that came during their time in the navy and have stayed.  Why?  Because Jacksonville is an amazing town.  I want Jacksonville veterans to receive the benefits to which they are entitled so they can stay in this part of Florida and not have not move because of health care costs.

Unfortunately, due to the rising costs of health care and nursing care, plenty of military families are having their assets and wealth depleted.  This money will be sent off, never to be seen again.  But what if you can transfer the veteran's wealth to family members without depletion from long term health care cost AND receive a cash monthly?

Veterans pension benefits is your answer, and here are basic qualifications:

1) The veteran served in the military during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War;

2) The veteran meets the countable income and asset requirements (note that the requirements are for low income levels BUT do not let this dissuade you, a veterans pension lawyer can help and you will learn more from me later); and   

3) You did not receive a dishonorable discharge.

These rules get you started.  In future posts I dicuss the asset and income limits for VA aid and attendance. 

Kellen Bryant, Esquire, is a Jacksonville, Florida elder care attorney specializing in VA aid and attendance benefits.