Recently, a friend decided to have her 94 year old mother move into an assisted living home.
Because of her disabilities, it was very apparent that she was unable to function on her own without some 24/7 aid. But because of her stubbornness and her desire to live in her own house, the move was postponed several times, until it had to be done.
The late night calls from emergency personnel. Continual injuries while at home. Calls from strangers who found her in front of her home, unable to get off the ground. Multiple trips to the doctor or hospital. All took a toll on the family.
When the decision was made to move her, it also taxed the family due to the additional monetary costs for her care. Each service provided at the home, however small, would add up.
Thanks to another friend, the family was directed to the Veteran’s Angels Inc. (http://www.vetangels.org/) a non-profit organization that assists senior veterans and their spouses or widows get a little known benefit that is referred to as the “Aid and Attendance Special Pension”.
1. Basically, the applicant must require assistance from another person on a regular basis to help them deal with the trials of everyday living.
2. They must be over the age of 65 or totally and permanently disabled.
3. The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with only 1 day during a time of war.
4. Any discharge other than dishonorable.
5. A surviving spouse does not have to be over 65 years of age, however, they must have been married to the veteran for at least one year at the time of the veteran’s death and cannot be re-married.
Benefit Awards could total up to $1,949.00 per month for the veteran with a dependent. Up to $1,644.00 for a veteran and up to $1,056 for a surviving spouse.
Veteran's Angels is an important resource for the public. It relays needed information to those looking for help, and points them in the right direction by giving them a “how-to” for filling out the paperwork, making sure it is completed properly, and forwarded, via email, to the appropriate entities.
This “pension” assists the family in deferring the costs associated with the long-term care of their loved ones and allows the seniors tax-free money to help pay their expenses, protect their income and live their lives in dignity. (watch video here).
Upon speaking with Stephen Stone , Vietnam Vet and CEO and Executive Director of Veterans Angels, I was astounded to find that only 5% of eligible veterans and the families know of this pension program. Also, that they have helped 4,000 applicants get their deserved benefits. To date, Veteran’s Angels has assisted 98% of all applicants get approved for the program.
Veteran’s Angels is totally supported by volunteers and donations. They are classified as a 501C3 charity only organization.
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