You’ve referred a Veteran or surviving spouse to Veterans Care Coordination (VCC), and now you and your client may be wondering what happens next. One great way to support someone is to understand their experience and provide them with a strong starting point. This article equips you with the knowledge to steer them in the right direction.

It’s common for people to feel overwhelmed when faced with a lengthy application form, numerous questions, and supporting documents. Some may struggle to provide answers that could significantly impact their application and delay the process, and that is why VCC is here to provide help and support. Please help us prepare the client and families you refer with the following helpful information.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requires Veterans or their surviving spouse to meet and provide proof of certain criteria to determine eligibility for Pension with Aid and Attendance:

  • A wartime Veteran or their surviving spouse.
  • Have a non-service related medical condition requiring assistance with activities of daily living.
  • A net worth of less than $155,536, excluding one house, one car, and up to 2 acres of land.
  • Medical expenses that exceed income.

If there are elements of the eligibility criteria that you are uncertain about or unable to get the answers to, no problem, VCC can walk the Veteran, surviving spouse, or family through the screening process to determine those details. Once you send the referral to VCC, expect the following.

  • The person listed as the contact on the referral will receive a call from (VCC), which will come from a 636 area code within approximately one business day or less.
  • The VCC team member will first ask questions about the Veteran’s or Surviving Spouse’s care needs and any current care in place. Then, the team member will ask questions to confirm the dates of military service, as this benefit covers Veterans who served during specific periods.
  • Military history—If a copy of the Veteran’s DD214 is available, this is very helpful in determining military service dates. This document, also known as a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, summarizes the Veteran’s active military service.
  • Because this benefit has asset and income criteria, our VCC team member will also ask questions about their income, assets, and medical expenses, as well as questions regarding their care needs, current care, and support (if any). Accurate information is critical, as incorrect information may result in delays or denials, so any supporting documents, such as bank statements and medical expense information, will be helpful.
  • If they miss our call and receive a voicemail when calling the VCC team member back, please encourage them to leave a voicemail with the best day and time to reach them. They can also reach VCC toll-free at 855.380.4400 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST, and any member of our team would be happy to assist.
  • While we assist in screening for potential eligibility for this benefit, VCC does not process, approve, or deny applications for Pension with Aid and Attendance.  We support the Veteran or Surviving Spouse in completing the application if the screening criteria are met. The Department of Veterans Affairs processes the applications for Pension with Aid and Attendance.  In our recent experience, once submitted, it can take, on average, four and a half months or more for the VA to process these applications and provide an answer.  This time frame is an estimate and can vary based on VA processing times and backlogs. However, VCC offers programs that may help start care immediately and, in some cases, provide assistance with medical expenses.
  • The VA processes claims in the order that the applications are received, so getting started as quickly as possible and collecting the supporting documents for the application is vital. Our VCC team will discuss the timeline and potential start of care dates as we help the Veteran or Surviving Spouse to prepare for application, so it is important to notify us if there are unexpected delays or challenges so we can provide help and support. 

At VCC, we understand this is a challenging application to navigate alone. Our dedicated team is ready to address any questions and provide comprehensive support to your clients throughout the process. We greatly appreciate your partnership and the confidence you have placed in us to assist your clients, and we are eager to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Veterans and their families.

 

Posted in Care for Aging Veterans

About Kyle Laramie, Founder & CEO

Kyle founded Veterans Care Coordination in April 2011. As its founder and CEO of VCC, Kyle is driven by the memory of his grandfather, a World War II Veteran who unnecessarily missed out on essential VA benefits because Kyle’s family wasn’t aware of available opportunities. In recognition of his impact in leadership, Kyle was named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s prestigious “40 Under 40” list and St. Louis Small Business Monthly’s “100 St. Louisans to Know” in 2014. VCC was named a St. Louis Small Business Monthly “Top 20” small business and a finalist for the St. Louis Post Dispatch Top Workplace (2015-2022), St. Louis Business Journal Best Place to Work (2019 & 2022), and the Arcus Awards (2014). The team has served more than 14,000 Veteran clients and their families. Kyle frequently speaks on Veterans’ benefits, addressing conferences such as the Home Care Association of America and Decision Health. He is passionate about giving back and has built a charitable-minded organization that supports various philanthropic efforts.