For some veterans, the Aid and Attendance pension could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of their lives to help with veteran’s care expenses. Yet, if they have too many assets or too much income when they want to apply for it, they could be denied.
Independent financial consultants and firms advertise their assistance in helping veterans fill out and submit the Aid and Attendance benefit application. What they advertise isn’t necessarily help with the application itself but rather the ability to manipulate numbers, move assets around, and help them meet the approval threshold limit.
Some of these consultants can charge upwards of $10,000 or more for their services. That is an incredible amount of money, but compared to the $200,000, $300,000, or even more in potential benefits a disabled veteran might receive over the course of their life through the Aid and Attendance pension, they justify it that way.
Some of these firms and consultants are unscrupulous in every possible way. The VA does note that paying for help with any Aid and Attendance pension application could be cause for denial, even if the veteran would have qualified otherwise.
Some of these consultants will use underhanded techniques to try and convince veterans they are the safe route to approval.
They will remind the veteran that long-term veteran’s care is expensive.
“What if you are denied?” This is an easy question some consultants may ask. They point out the cost of long-term veteran’s care, which could be anywhere from $45,000 a year for full-time home care to over $325,000 a year for nursing homes in some states.
Those figures alone can cause a veteran who needs help now to worry and think, ‘What if I am denied?’ Suddenly they want to sign on the dotted line and pay whatever they have to.
Many of these firms and consultants will ‘guarantee’ approval.
The truth is they can’t. The decision on whether a veteran is approved for and receives Aid and Attendance benefits is not up to them; it’s up to the VA.
They may understand many of the details, requirements for approval, and costs of veteran’s care, but there’s no way to guarantee that honestly.
They charge this amount because they can.
Some will charge an exorbitant amount of money because there are veterans desperate to get veteran’s care, and though they may have some income and assets, paying for it out-of-pocket would significantly hurt their finances.
These veterans worry about what could happen if they are denied their application. What they don’t realize, though, is that even if they are denied, they can appeal, and they could reapply if circumstances change in the future.
The best thing for veterans who need in-home veteran’s care and may qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits because of their service is to be honest, fill out the application themselves, and submit it in good conscience.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Veteran’s Care in Amelia, OH, please contact the caring staff at Freedom Home Care today at (513) 461-2780
Freedom Home Care Serves Veterans in Clermont County, Batavia, Amelia, Milford, New Richmond, Goshen, Bethel, Williamsburg, Loveland, Withamsville, Brown County, Felicity, Georgetown, Mount Orab, Ripley, Hamersville, Sardinia, and surrounding areas.
Our team is committed to providing the highest standard of care, ensuring that each Veteran we serve can live a dignified and independent life in the comfort of their own home. Our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each Veteran, reflecting our deep commitment to their well-being.
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- Reasons Veterans Should NOT Use Independent Consultants for Aid & Attendance - May 2, 2024
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