What many veterans and their spouses don’t realize is they may be eligible
for up to $24,648 per year of tax-free money to help pay for home care services. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Pension with Aid and Attendance Benefit helps to cover medical expenses, including home care services, such as bathing, dressing, feeding and personal hygiene.
In addition to a lack of awareness, many potentially eligible
candidates are deterred by the complexity of the application process.
Mark Thommarson, of Corsicana, Texas, experienced this when trying to
obtain the benefit for his own parents. “The mountain of paperwork for
the application process was overwhelming,” Thommarson said. “Although
the local VA office tried to be helpful, the paperwork seemed
complicated, and I understood the process could take 18 months to two
years for approval. So at that point, I gave up and continued to pay for
their care out of my own pocket.”
Then two years ago, Home Helpers locations nationwide aligned with St. Louis-based Veterans Care Coordination (VCC), an organization dedicated to helping veterans apply for and obtain the benefit. Despite his initial skepticism, Thommarson gave the process another try with VCC’s assistance.
“I began the application process for Mom and Dad in April 2013. On
June 1, we received our authorization for the start of their services
through VCC, and in August, we received the award of benefit from the
VA,” Thommarson said. “VCC made the process easy and understandable. The
$2,000 worth of care that was previously being paid for by me and my
siblings is now being paid for by the VA.”
To learn more about the benefit and eligibility requirements, contact a Home Helpers location
near you. Today, and every day, take a moment to thank our nation’s
veterans and their loved ones for their dedication to our country.
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