On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Tuesday, December 29, 2015. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does make bad decisions sometimes. If you think they have done so in your case, or if you are a family member helping a loved one who is a veteran, you have appeal rights.Appeal ProcessFirst, you can appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals. If they uphold the denial, then you can appeal to the U.S. Court for Veterans Claims. The court can adjudicate to establis...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. Over one-fifth of American families care for parents, grandparents, or others over age 50. This is according to a study done by AARP. It showed that over ten percent of such families' income was spent on caregiving. That number skyrocketed for families caring for someone long-distance. Expenses were estimated at almost $5,000 per month.The level of care is defined by who can provide the care. Skilled...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Thursday, December 3, 2015. If your loved one is a wartime veteran or surviving spouse, he or she may qualify for financial help from the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance program. If you have been given advice that your loved one's income is above the limit, don't take that automatically as a reason not to apply.No Look-Back Period ... for nowThere are legal monthly monetary limits for income and assets. These are man...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Monday, November 9, 2015. If you apply for the USA military's pension program under the Veterans Aid and Attendance program, be aware that your income will be considered. This program is additional to the basic pension program. It is paid to wartime vets with limited or no income and other age and disability qualifications.Income in the Veterans Administration's (VA) viewpoint covers funds received from most sources. It include...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Wednesday, October 28, 2015. Wartime veterans who have fallen into poverty and/or their spouses may be missing out on critically needed funds from the government.Many just don't know about their availability. It is heart-wrenching to realize that ill, confused, elderly soldiers and other military vets could be helped if only they were able to access those benefits.One group that is particularly hard hit is their widows. Women g...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, October 23, 2015. It feels like a special honor to visit the grave of a loved one who was a veteran when he or she is buried in a VA national cemetery. It has a certain sense of "rightness" about it.Such burial is allowed for veterans if eligible, their spouses, and certain children. There is no cost. Gravesite, grave-liner, marker or headstone are included, as well as the grave's opening and closing, and perpetual care...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, October 16, 2015. A will has some distinct differences from a trust. You can establish your intentions for distributing your estate after you die through either document. An experienced professional law firm can help you decide which document is best for your unique situation.Guardianship, Probate, and Other IssuesIf you have minor children, a will covers their guardianship, which is an element missing in a trust. Howev...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Monday, October 12, 2015. Veterans' spouses should be aware of Veteran Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). This DIC benefit is paid monthly.Eligibility RequirementsBenefits may be available to survivors (if eligible): of a member of the military who died serving active duty or active or inactive training; or of veteran who died as a result of either a service-related disease or injury, or certain non-service related il...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, October 9, 2015. The Veteran's Aid and Assistance program is a little-known program which offers pension benefits to certain veterans and their spouses for daily living assistance costs. There is a ceiling on income in order to qualify. Future medical expenses can be used to reduce your qualifying income level.Normal Medical Expenses AllowedNormally, only medical expenses incurred in the months immediately prior to appl...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, October 2, 2015. The Veteran's Aid and Attendance program provides benefits for veterans and/or their spouses who need help with daily living activities.When filing, you can expect that the average processing time for your application to the Veteran's Aid and Attendance program will be slow. Allow on average between four and eight months to receive a letter explaining your determination. You or your spouse may have to w...
