Death of a Veteran
Pre-Authorized Care
Birth Defects
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) realizes the loss of a loved one is a difficult experience.
VA has established a streamlined process for families, executors and legal representatives to follow to notify VA
*Notifying VA limits the chance for others to falsely use the Veteran's identity.
*By updating the Veteran's information, you will reduce the likelihood of VA continuing to send you correspondence about VA benefits, services and bills.
*You will be helping VA to maintain up-to-date records, which will enhance the agency's efforts to better distribute services to the Veteran community.
The Steps for Notifying VA are Simple and Easy to Follow
to retrieve an official copy of the Veteran's death certificate.
2. Step two is to submit the death certificate to VA by:
Affairs at the VA medical facility where the Veteran was receiving healthcare
benefits, or
b. contacting the VA Health Resource Center at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) for additional
instructions.
By Rosanne Rogé, CSA, RFG, CFP®
Managing Director
As a former Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves, there is a special place in my heart for our wartime veterans. After all, the reason I have the freedom to write this article and do everything else I want to do is because of the sacrifices they made during time of war.
There is a little known and underutilized benefit for veterans known as the Aid-and-Attendance Benefit, which can help veterans pay for long term care or assisted living.
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs pays a maximum of $1,949 per month to married veterans who qualify. Single veterans and surviving spouses may also be eligible for smaller payments.
In order to qualify, veterans must have served at least 90 days of active military service, including one day during wartime, and have a discharge other than dishonorable from their branch of the military. Veterans are eligible if they served in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
For those wartime veterans who entered active duty starting September 8, 1980, the eligibility requirements are a bit stricter. The Veteran must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty. Those in Service from August 2, 1990 to present are also eligible for this benefit.
This is great news for those veterans and their families who may be in need of financial assistance either at home or in assisted living facilities, or who require other long-term care services. These benefits are tax-free to the recipient.
For 2017, the income limit for a couple is $25,525 ($21,531 for an individual or $13,836 for a veteran’s widow or widower). However, even though this number may sound low, a Veteran may still qualify if their income falls to that level after deducting any unreimbursed medical expenses, education expenses or expenses related to a last illness or burial of a dependent. Total liquid assets may not be more than $80,000 for a couple and $50,000 for a single veteran or the widowed spouse of a vet (this figure does not include a residence or automobile). These figures are starting guidelines and each case is determined individually by the claimant’s caseworker.
We advise utilizing the services of an attorney when applying for these benefits so that any eligibility for Medicaid is not disqualified. In addition, there is a requirement regarding the inability to perform the “activities of daily living,” such as bathing, eating, dressing, or being bedridden, blind or already living in an assisted living facility or nursing home due to mental or physical disabilities.
Those hoping to qualify can seek out free help through a regional, state or county-level Veterans office or go to www.va.gov. Then click on locations and then click on State Veteran Affairs offices or Regional Benefit offices. You can also view frequently asked questions and ask a question online with the Department of Veterans Affairs at https://iris.custhelp.va.gov/ or call them at 1-877-294-6380.
Please pass this information on to any veteran or family of a veteran that you know. It may just be the information they need to make their life a little easier.
The following is the source of the above article:
https://www.rwroge.com/2018/05/a-little-known-veterans-benefit-aid-and-attendance-2/
The following was added May 22, 2018
Friends and Fellow Veterans,
This is really helpful information. Keep these phone numbers handy and use them as helpful.
These are some of the benefits our Collaborative gets from our participation in national organizations such as
VA's Community Veterans Engagement Boards.
Paul Worsham
From: Faulkner, Eric, (VEO) <Eric.Faulkner2@va.gov>
Subject: IMPORTANT VA PHONE NUMBERS
A solid list of phone numbers for veterans to have as a reference:
Veterans Crisis Line .................................................................................1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
Bereavement Counseling ........................................................................ 1-202-461-6530
Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) ................................... 1-800-733-8387
Caregiver Stipend ................................................................................... 1-877-733-7927
Debt Management Center ....................................................................... 1-800-827-0648
Education ................................................................................................ 1-888-442-4551
Foreign Medical Program ......................................................................... 1-303-331-7590
Spina Bifida Program ............................................................................... 1-888-820-1756
Camp Lejeune Family Member Program .................................................... 1-866-372-1144
Headstones and Markers ......................................................................... 1-800-697-6947
Health Care .............................................................................................. 1-877-222-8387
Homeless Veterans .................................................................................. 1-877-424-3838
Home Loans ............................................................................................. 1-888-827-3702
Life Insurance .......................................................................................... 1-800-669-8477
National Cemetery Scheduling Office ...................................................... 1-800-535-1117
Pension Management Center ................................................................... 1-877-294-6380
Presidential Memorial Certificate Program .............................................. 1-202-565-4964
Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) ........................................ 1-800-829-4833
VA Benefts .............................................................................................. 1-800-827-1000
VA Combat Call Center ............................................................................ 1-877-927-8387
Women Veterans ..................................................................................... 1-877-222-8387
White House Hotline…………………………………………………............…………1-855-948-2311
Eric Faulkner
Veterans Experience Office (VACO)
Veterans, Family and Community Engagement
Department of Veterans Affairs
619 964-4572
Eric.faulkner2@va.gov
White House VA Hotline ................................................1-855-948-2311
Veterans Crisis Line....................................................... 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) or send text to 838255
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VA Veterans Experience Office Website
Veteran, Family and Community Engagement Website and CVEB Contacts
