Protecting Aging Veterans from Scams Surrounding the Aid and Attendance Benefit
Aid and Attendance
When veterans are having difficulty with their basic care at home, whether it’s the result of age or injuries, finding support may not always be easy. That’s when the Aid and Attendance Benefit can be an integral factor in offering proper care, or at least the financial assistance to pay for it.
What is the Aid and Attendance Benefit?
This is a pension made available through the VA that was initially developed following World War I. It was designed to provide financial assistance for soldiers returning from war who had suffered injuries or disabilities. Those injuries could have been physical or emotional, including shellshock, which eventually became known as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Through the years the Aid and Attendance pension expanded to include financial support for veterans who may have served during a time of combat but who may not have seen actual combat. It also expanded to cover veterans of all ages and even their spouses or widows, though the amount of financial support would vary.
Where do scams come into play?
Part of the criteria that needs to be met in order to qualify for Aid and Attendance support is falling within a specific income and asset threshold limit. There are some individuals and agencies who offer their ‘services’ to veterans all across the country with regard to filing an application for the Aid and Attendance Benefit.
They can charge upwards of $10,000 for their services, but they ‘guarantee’ positive results (implying that the veteran will definitely receive assistance from this pension), even though there are no guarantees. These firms and advisors move assets around, to family members, and use other methods to ‘hide’ a veteran’s true assets from the VA, helping them fall within the guideline limits.
It’s best to avoid paying anyone for assistance in filling out or submitting this application, and when a person promises guaranteed results with regard to this pension, it’s time to look the other way.
If you or a loved one have the Aid and Attendance benefit, please contact the friendly staff at Veterans Care Coordination. Call today: 1-855-777-4693