Your Child and Autism

VA Disability Benefits

VA Disability Benefits

VA disability benefits are available for war-time veterans or their surviving spouse whether or not your disability is service-connected. There are many veterans and surviving spouses of deceased veterans from World War II and Korea that don?t even know they qualify! It is a shame that this is one of the VA?s best kept secret. Of the two VA disability benefits, the one discussed here is the non-service connected disability pension. This benefit has a three tier payment level depending on your particular situation.

Disability Pension

To be eligible you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

2. If you enlisted before September 7, 1980, you must have served 90 days or more of active duty with at least one day during a period of war. Anyone who enlisted after September 7, 1980, however, must serve at least 24 months or the full period for which that person was called to serve.

3. You must be permanently and totally disabled, or age 65 or older. The Veterans Administration no longer requires those over age 65 to submit evidence they have a disability that prevents them from working.

4. In addition, your ?countable? income must be below the yearly limit set by law; called the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR). The MAPR for 2008 are: Veteran with no dependents $11,181 Veteran with a spouse or a child $14,643

5. If you are housebound, which basically means you can no longer safely drive, the MAPR for 2008 are: Housebound veteran with no dependents $13,664 Housebound veteran with one dependent $17,126 Add, for each additional dependent $1,909

Aid And Attendance Entitlement

If the veteran needs help with the basic activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, grooming, hygiene, toileting, etc.) they may qualify for additional disability pension benefits. The veteran will need to show that he or she needs home care on a regular and permanent basis, or lives in an assisted living facility. The Aid and Attendance benefit MAPR for 2008 are:

Veteran who needs aid and attendance with no dependents $18,654 Veteran who needs aid and attendance with one dependent $22,113

VA Disability Benefits Payment

The actual amount of your disability pension will depend on your ?countable? income. Countable income is your gross income minus qualified health care expenses. The VA will pay you the difference between your ?countable? income and the MAPR that matches your personal situation. The VA disability pension will be paid directly to you in 12 equal payments.

How To Apply

You can apply for the VA disability benefits by filling out VA Form 21-526, Parts A,B,C and D plus multiple additional forms and documentation. For more information on VA disability benefits you can visit Veterans Care Advisors website www.veteranscareadvisors.com where you will be able to find tips and best practices to successfully obtain the VA disability pension benefit.

Greg Cook is a consultant with extensive experience dealing with governmental agencies in the financial world and with major non-profit organizations. He has helped hundreds of senior citizens successfully navigate the long term care industry. He is a senior advocate, geriatric care manager and a Certified Senior Advisor.

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