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In a recent article, the
Dallas Morning News explained a
little-know long-term care benefit available
to some veterans and their spouses.
The benefit is named the
"aid-and-attendance" pension benefit. It
pays up to $1,470 a month to a qualifying
veteran, $945 a month to a surviving spouse,
or $1,743 a month to a couple, to defray the
expense of long-term care.
To qualify, veterans must:
• Have served in wartime, though they didn't
have to see combat.
• Have no more than $80,000 in assets, not
counting the family home, car and personal
possessions.
• Prove financial need, usually by
demonstrating expenses exceed their income.
• Show they need someone to help them with
basic activities of living, such as bathing,
grooming or eating.
The monthly benefit pays up to:
• $1,470 to a veteran.
• $945 to a surviving spouse.
• $1,743 to a couple.
The biggest drawback is the complicated
application process, which can take up to
six months to complete. The Department of
Veterans Affairs requires many detailed
documents, including military discharge
papers and a medical doctor's written
evaluation. Some applicants may need help in
completing the forms.
Fortunately, there are agencies available to
help veterans with this process, and with
other matters. They include:
County veterans service offices: Collin
County (972-881-3060), Dallas County
(214-819-1885), Denton County (940-349-2950)
and Tarrant County (817-531-5645)
Department of Veterans Affairs:
1-800-827-1000 or
www.va.gov
Texas Veterans Commission: 1-800-252-8387
statewide or
www.tvc.state.tx.us
Veterans of Foreign Wars: 1-800-839-1899 or
www.vfw.org
Veterans may get military discharge
documents at
vetrecs.archives.gov.
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