If you or your deceased spouse are a veteran, you may be able to tap on Veteran Benefits to offset the cost of residential senior living. Always speak to your local administrative office to find out what benefits you may be entitled to and check your eligibility if you are unsure.
Who Qualifies for Veteran Benefits?
Do you meet the below criteria? If so, you qualify for Veteran’s Benefits:
- You are a veteran who have performed active duty during wartime and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable mention
- You are the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran and you have not contracted a new marriage
Understanding the VA Pension
One of the most widely known Veteran Benefits is the VA pension, which is a monthly sum paid out to veterans and their families. To qualify for this, you will need to meet the criteria stated below:
- You are 65 years or older
- You have completed at least 90 days of active service with a minimum of one day occurring during wartime. Those who entered service after Sept 7, 1980 must have served at least 24 months or the full duration for which they were called, with a minimum of one day occurring during wartime.
- You are receiving supplementary security income or social security disability insurance, which you must fall below a certain income threshold to qualify for
- You have a disability OR you require care, whether at home or in a residential setting
VA Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits
To qualify for A&A benefits, you first need to be receiving a VA pension. If you are not currently a recipient of a VA pension, you need to first apply to receive a pension before you can apply for A&A benefits. This provides you with an additional monthly sum on top of the pension you are receiving.
You could be able to qualify for A&A benefits if you meet one of the conditions below:
- You are bedridden due to a health or medical condition and are unable to leave the house except for necessary appointments
- You require assistance to perform daily living activities such as dressing, showering, grooming and transferring (if you are wheelchair-bound)
- You require residential care in a senior living community or nursing home
- Your eyesight is poorer than 5/200 visual acuity or the concentric concentration of your visual field is less than 5 degrees
Housebound benefits work in much the same way as A&A benefits in that you will receive an additional monthly sum. This is for veterans who have a permanent disability that leaves them confined to home.
Make the Move to TerraBella Northridge’s Senior Living Community Today
As a senior living community that offers assisted living, short-term respite care and memory care for older adults in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding areas, choose TerraBella Northridge as your partner in care today. Our compassionate and dedicated team members have what it takes to ensure that retirement life can be as comfortable and convenient for you as possible. We look forward to welcoming you onsite!
