“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” -George Washington
We are fortunate to live in a country that has taken these words from our first President to heart, and our firm is honored to be a resource for veterans who need assistance to obtain all of the benefits they are due. We regularly help veterans and their families apply for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and incorporate veteran-specific benefits into their estate plans.
Disability Benefits
Disability benefits are available for military veterans who were disabled during their service or as a result of their service. In order to qualify, veterans must have a service-related disability rating of 10 percent or more, and have been discharged any way other than dishonorably.
Sometimes your family can continue to receive these benefits after your death, and that is something that you would want to indicate in your estate plan.
Long-Term Care
Paying for long-term care is a challenge for almost everyone, but it can be especially difficult for veterans, who often have health issues related to their service, and who sacrificed years of working for higher pay in the private sector in order to serve our country. Fortunately, there are many programs benefiting veterans, and their spouses, that our firm has helped clients apply for.
The Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension Benefit, or “A&A benefit,” provides veterans and their spouses tax-free money that can be used to pay for around the clock care in a nursing home, or occasional help around the house, and everything in between.
Only around 5% of the people who are eligible for this money receive it because few people realize they qualify for it. Beyond this, many veterans can qualify for Medicaid and end up paying very little out of pocket for long-term care.
Burial and Memorial Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense provide several memorial and burial services for eligible active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired and veteran military personnel. But these benefits don’t magically appear. Nether does an honor guard and someone to play Taps.
If you want to be recognized for your service at your funeral or memorial service, or want to be buried in a military cemetery, you need to do some advanced planning, and clearly spell out your wishes.
You Earned It
Unfortunately, many people that apply for these and other benefits are denied the first time they seek them. That is when our firm can step in help you appeal a denial, or just make sure all of the paperwork you need to support your claim is in order.
You earned these benefits through your hard work and sacrifice for our country, and helping you secure them is the very least we can do to repay you.