Are you potentially eligible for veterans pension benefits?
If you are an older (age 65 and up) or disabled war-time veteran, or you are widowed from a war-time veteran, and you have ongoing out-of-pocket medical or care expenses, you are potentially eligible for veterans pension benefits. If you are the married spouse of a veteran, you cannot apply directly for benefits, but your medical and care expenses (as well as your income) will be considered when your spouse applies. As a result, there are instances in which a veteran age 65 or over who does not personally need care can qualify based on his spouse’s care expenses.
However, qualification is not automatic, even for veterans and widowed spouses of veterans with significant care needs. There are limits on the amount and type of assets an applicant can own. Because the VA, like Medicaid, now has a “look-back” rule that penalizes gifts and other transfers of assets made within three years prior to application, advance planning is greatly favored and legal assistance with the process of establishing and demonstrating eligibility can prove to be greatly beneficial. We can apply our legal skills and familiarity with VA law and regulations to help you to establish eligibility, protecting as much of your life savings as possible in the process.
