Veterans Benefits – An Overview
As seniors who have previously served in the military and as returning military search for benefits through the system, it can be helpful to have one place they can access for an overview. This column attempts to be that one place starting point.
For seniors, in particular, one subject I have addressed in the past, Aid and Attendance, is a significant monthly benefit used primarily but not exclusively in personal care homes (previously known as assisted living in Pennsylvania). To realize how significant Aid and Attendance can be it helps to know that it is the only government benefit of significance that can assist in paying for the monthly expense of a personal care home. While this benefit does not require service connected disability, it does require service during wartime with 90 days or more of active duty, 1 day beginning or ending in a period of war, and an honorable discharge. Anyone interested in applying for this benefit should look for a Form DD-214 which indicates the dates of service. This is very important in establishing eligibility. The claimant veteran must require the “aid and attendance” of another (non-family member) to assist him or her in his or her daily life. The benefit is also available to widows and widowers of qualified veterans.
In addition to the Aid and Attendance benefit, the VA system has some respite, hospice, and at-home care that can be very helpful especially where other sources are not available. The list and types of benefits are extensive and there are very specific criteria for each.
If you are beginning your search, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has an online booklet that can be accessed by going to www.va.gov, then clicking Veterans Services, then Inside Veterans Services, and then Benefits Booklet. There is a 71 page On-Line Edition of the booklet that can be downloaded.
Here are some of the subjects covered which will give you an idea of how extensive this field is: health care benefits, service-connected disabilities, vocational rehabilitation and employment, pensions, education and training, home loan guaranty, VA life insurance, burial and memorial benefits, reserve and national guard, special groups of veterans, transition assistance, dependents and survivors health care, dependents and survivors benefits, military medals and records, benefits provided by other federal agencies, and VA facilities.
In addition to the federal information, readers might be interested in searching www.military.com. Although this site has an immense amount of information about virtually every veterans government benefit nationally, it also gives access to information specific to Pennsylvania or any other state. Those interested should go to www.military.com, then click “benefits,” then “veteran benefits,” then “state veteran’s benefits,” then Pennsylvania or whatever state they wish to search.
Some of Pennsylvania’s benefits such as tax exemption from real estate taxes require 100% service connected disability.
As to health care, most people are familiar with the Pennsylvania’s State Veterans Homes which are available to veterans and spouses and surviving spouse of eligible veterans who were released under honorable conditions. One such Home is located in Chester County at Spring City. Pennsylvania residency is required.
Chester County is also, of course, home to the Coatesville VA Medical Center which has been an invaluable resource to the community for many years. Coatesville VA’s website reports that the hospital provided health care to 18,558 Veterans and had 200,702 outpatient visits in 2012 including 1,263 Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans and 871 women Veterans served. Many local Chester Countians first become acquainted with VA services through the Coatesville facility including benefits for prescription drugs. There are also benefits for homeless veterans and returning service members.
Healthcare benefits include Tricare for those under age 65 and not on Medicare, and Tricare for Life for those 65 and over and for those under age 65 on Medicare. Tricare for Life acts as a supplemental insurance to Medicare (and to private employer sponsored plans) and requires enrollment in Medicare “B.”. Since VA providers cannot bill Medicare and Medicare cannot pay for services received from VA, it is important to differentiate the payment source before receiving services either from private sources or VA. More details are contained in the Tricare for Life section under www.military.com.
To enter the VA health care system, you can submit an application for enrollment (VA Form 1010EZ) online at www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/.
About the Author Janet Colliton
Esquire, Colliton Law Associates, P.C. Janet Colliton has practiced law for over 38 years, 37 of them in Chester County, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Her practice, Colliton Law Associates, PC, is limited to elder law, Medicaid, including advice, applications and appeals, and other benefits planning including Veterans benefits, life care and special needs planning, guardianships, retirement, and estate planning and administration.