Many veterans and their families are missing out on significant financial and critical support. Most people know about basic VA healthcare and disability compensation, but the Department of Veterans Affairs also offers a number of lesser-known benefits that can greatly improve the quality of life for older veterans. Here are some VA benefits that seniors who are eligible might not know about.
Aid & Attendance: A Monthly Benefit for Veterans Who Need Help
The Aid & Attendance pension supplement is one of the VA benefits that people don’t use enough. This benefit provides veterans and their surviving spouses with extra money each month to help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and managing medications.
A veteran who qualifies for this type of VA benefits does not need to have a disability that is related to their service. They only need to have served in the military, be in need of financial assistance, and demonstrate the need for personal care. In 2024, Aid & Attendance gave married veterans up to $2,300 a month. This money could be used to pay for a variety of things and ease stress for many veteran seniors.
CHAMPVA: Health Insurance for Spouses and Dependents Who Are Still Alive
If a veteran dies or is rated permanently and totally disabled, their spouse and dependents may be eligible for CHAMPVA, which stands for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This VA benefits program pays for a significant portion of medical costs, including outpatient care, prescriptions, and mental health services.
CHAMPVA is not the same as TRICARE, and it is available to those who do not qualify for TRICARE. For a surviving spouse on a fixed income, this coverage can reduce healthcare expenses dramatically.
VA Burial and Funeral Assistance
Many families never claim the burial allowances available under VA benefits for eligible veterans. These benefits can include money for a burial and funeral, money for a plot or burial in a private cemetery, and full burial honors in a national cemetery at no cost to the family.
The process must typically be initiated within two years of the veteran’s burial. Many families simply don’t know to ask—and miss the window entirely.
Grants for Disabled Veterans to Make Changes to Their Homes
Veterans with disabilities related to their service may be eligible for housing grants to make their homes easier to navigate. The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant can pay for ramps, wider doorways, roll-in showers, and other changes that make it safer for a veteran to stay at home. Even better, as these VA benefits are grants, they don’t need to be repaid, and they can be used more than once throughout the veteran’s lifetime.
It can be challenging to navigate the VA system, especially for seniors and caregivers who are already dealing with complicated health and financial issues. Veterans and their families can be sure they know all the available VA benefits and how to claim them correctly by working with a VA-accredited attorney or elder care lawyer.
If you or a loved one needs assistance with VA Benefits in Pelham, AL, contact The Alabama Elder Care Law Firm, LLC, today at (205) 390-0101
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