Many Kentucky and Indiana veterans and surviving spouses of veterans may be entitled to some additional benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are available even if the veteran did not retire from the military or suffer injuries while on duty.

The lawyers at Kentucky ElderLaw, PLLC, help many veterans and their families plan their finances regarding VA benefits.

If you hire the attorneys at Kentucky ElderLaw, PLLC, for planning, you will receive a comprehensive plan for both VA and Medicaid benefits for your family’s unique set of circumstances.

Two types of benefits include monthly pension and disability compensation. These are monetary benefits that can help fund at-home care, assisted living care, personal care, memory care or even nursing home care for the veteran, surviving spouse, or dependent child.

In addition to these monetary benefits, veterans may qualify for Aid and Attendance, a pension benefit that offers additional financial support for those needing assistance with daily living activities. Whether it’s long-term care in a VA nursing home or in-home care services, our attorneys will help you explore all available VA benefits, ensuring you can secure the necessary support for yourself or your loved ones. You can reach our Louisville office at 502-581-1111, our Bowling Green office at 270-467-0002 or our Shepherdsville office at 502-955-1005.

Veterans suffering from service-connected conditions may qualify for VA disability compensation, a tax-free monthly payment that helps cover medical costs, caregiving, and other needs. Whether you have a physical disability, illness, or mental health condition caused or worsened during service, our attorneys will guide you through the VA claims process, helping you collect the necessary medical evidence and ensuring you receive the correct disability rating. If your claim is denied, we also assist with VA appeals to fight for the benefits you deserve.

For Vietnam veterans, specific conditions such as Agent Orange-related diseases are presumed service-connected, making it easier to qualify for benefits. Conditions like diabetes and prostate cancer are common among Vietnam veterans, and our team can help you understand your eligibility.

The VA pension provides financial support to wartime veterans and their surviving spouses, offering help with daily living costs. To qualify, veterans must meet specific service and income-based requirements, including having served during a defined period of war and receiving an honorable discharge.

Generally, those requirements are:

1. The veteran must have served at least 90 consecutive days of active duty
2. One of those days must have been during a period of wartime (as defined by the VA)
3. The veteran must have received a discharge other than a dishonorable one
4. The veteran and/or the surviving spouse must have limited income and assets. There is no set number with the VA. With planning, most people can meet this criterion
5. The veteran must either be over age 65 or have a permanent and total disability

Once these criteria are met, additional money may be available if the veteran or surviving spouse is housebound. Housebound does not mean that a person can never leave his home, but rather that he cannot leave without assistance.

Our attorneys at Kentucky ElderLaw help you navigate these criteria, creating a financial strategy that enables you to qualify for both VA pensions and Medicaid when needed.

The VA Aid and Attendance Benefit offers additional financial assistance to veterans or their surviving spouses who require help with basic daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating. As the highest level of pension benefit, it can provide up to $26,748 annually for a single veteran and $31,704 per year for a veteran and spouse. For a surviving spouse or dependent child, benefits may pay up to $17,184 per year.

VA Aid and Attendance benefits are the highest level of benefits available within the pension benefit system. Aid and Attendance Allowance is needs-based, meaning it is only available for those individuals who meet income and asset requirements, as well as personal care requirements.

The attorneys at Kentucky ElderLaw will assist you in navigating the complex eligibility requirements and financial planning needed to qualify for Aid and Attendance, ensuring you receive the maximum amount of support.

Since October 2018, the VA has implemented a three-year look-back period for pension eligibility, similar to Medicaid’s five-year rule. This means that if you’ve transferred money or assets in the three years before applying for benefits, you may face penalties that delay your eligibility or disqualify you from receiving VA pension benefits. 

At Kentucky ElderLaw, we assist families in understanding these complex rules and provide financial strategies that protect your assets while securing eligibility for both VA pension benefits and Medicaid. Proper planning is crucial to avoid penalties and ensure long-term financial security, particularly if nursing home care is needed in the future.

Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. Whether you’re seeking help with VA disability claims, Aid and Attendance, or Medicaid planning, Kentucky ElderLaw is here to provide compassionate advice tailored to your family’s unique needs.

Louisville office: 502-581-1111

Bowling Green office: 270-467-0002

Shepherdsville office: 502-955-1005 

You can also send our office an email using our contact form.