Home | Finance | 9 VA Benefits That Seniors May Not Know About

9 VA benefits that seniors may not know about

9 VA benefits that seniors may not know about

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides various benefits for senior veterans for their bravery and dedicated service to the nation. Referred to as VA benefits, some popular ones include disability compensation, pension, and healthcare. Older veterans struggle to return to their daily lives after leaving the military. These perks assist them in meeting their personal needs. However,  a lot  of these benefits are underutilized mostly because senior veterans are unaware of them.

Aid and attendance (A&A)
The Aid and Attendance program offers additional monthly payments to eligible veterans and their spouses who need help with  daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating.  This extra income makes daily help more accessible for veterans. To receive this benefit, the veteran must receive a pension, require assistance with daily activities, or be bedridden. One must go through their local VA office and provide all necessary documentation to apply for this benefit. 

Home-based primary care (HBPC)
Some veterans may find it difficult to visit their doctors. In such cases, the VA also offers home-based primary care services, where the healthcare provider visits the patient at the convenience of their home.  To be eligible for this benefit , senior  veterans must be enrolled in the VA healthcare system and have  a referral from their primary care physician.

Adult day health care (ADHC)
Caring for a senior is physically and emotionally challenging. Thus, the VA benefits also provide veterans with  adult day health care services  to give caregivers a break. Here, one can engage in social activities, therapy, companionship, and bonded meals, among others, in a safe and supervised environment. What’s more, these services are customized depending on one’s needs.

Eligibility for this benefit depends on one’s enrollment in the VA healthcare system and the level of daily assistance required. These services can be accessed at the local ADHC center,  which can be  found on the VA website or the nearest VA office.

Respite care
The VA benefits include respite care services, including in-home care and short-term stays at assisted living facilities. Just like ADHC, eligibility for this program requires enrollment in the VA healthcare system and evidence of a need for support. One can speak to the primary care provider or visit the VA office to learn which respite care option may be best suited for one’s needs.

Geriatrics and extended care services (GEC)
Temporary care may not suffice for senior veterans dealing with complicated health issues. To give them additional support, the VA runs the GEC services program, which includes palliative care, hospice care, long-term care, and more. Like other VA health programs, eligibility  for this  is tied to one’s enrollment in the VA healthcare system and a referral from the primary care doctor.

Housebound benefits
Some senior veterans may have restricted movement due to a permanent disability, which confines them to their homes. For such individuals, the VA offers housebound privileges. Please note that these cannot be availed along with A&A benefits.

Housebound benefits offer veterans a special monthly compensation (SMC), which may be used for hiring help, remote buying, repairs, and renovations.  To avail of this benefit, one  simply  needs to  send  a completed VA form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance ) to their pension management center (PMC).

Mortgage assistance
As seniors  hit a certain  age, their ability to work and earn a livelihood gradually decreases, which could lead to personal financial hardship.  Thus, the VA also runs programs to provide veterans with mortgage repayment assistance and financial counseling. Under these programs, one can opt for special repayment loans or modifications to lessen their burden. These VA loans typically have attractive  terms, such as no down payment, no mortgage insurance, and no prepayment penalties.

These loans are not provided by the VA but by private entities such as banks and mortgage companies. To qualify, the borrower must  provide the lender with a certificate of eligibility from the VA,  which can be obtained from the VA website.

Free tax preparation
Some seniors may also need help filing their taxes and returns. The VA, in association with the IRS, arranges this for them. They provide   IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE ) programs, which help seniors create tax sheets, calculate earned income, note deductions, and manage the rest of the taxation process professionally.

Non-degree college programs/certifications
Some senior veterans may be in the pink of health, looking to expand their skill repertoire. To do so, they can tap into the VA’s GI bill benefits, which gives them and their spouses access to aid (tuition and money for books and supplies) so they can enroll in specific non-degree training programs such as HVAC repair, truck driving, beauty schools, and more.  For this,  the veterans must qualify for the GI bill and enroll in an approved school.

To apply for VA education benefits, one needs documents  and information  such as their  social security number, education and military service history, bank account direct deposit information, and basic information about the  institute they plan on attending or are currently a part of. With this information, the application can be found and filled out online via the VA website.

Read Also

Know more about exciting & latest articles right here

Foods to Avoid to Manage Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Foods to Avoid to Manage Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic Esophagitis, or EoE, is a chronic digestive disease of the esophagus caused by an allergic condition. It is characterized by chest pain, heartburn, and solid food dysphagia. If this disorder is left untreated, it can cause esophageal remodeling and stricture formation. This disorder is also marked by eosinophilic inflammation and impacts the quality of life of the affected person. You can check out various reliable health websites to get information on eosinophilic esophagitis. A patient with EoE must be very careful with his health and meal plans, as research suggests that EoE is linked to food allergies. Therefore, the six most common food items that are responsible for such allergies include: Dairy Cow milk is said to be one of the most common reasons for EoE. Milk protein can trigger too many eosinophils. You should avoid food items made up of milk, buttermilk, lactose, and other related dairy products. You can replace dairy products with coconut hemp, dairy-free yogurts, cashew ice cream, etc. Soy Soy-based food items include tofu, soy butter, soymilk, and miso. Soy cheese, soy nuts, soy milk, etc., should be avoided and can be substituted with refined soybean oil or coconut aminos. Wheat You might think wheat is only found in bread, cereal, or baked goods.
Read More
5 Common Digestive Issues and Their Symptoms

5 Common Digestive Issues and Their Symptoms

One of the most vital systems in our body is the digestive system. It is responsible for the digestion of food and the distribution of nutrients throughout the body to meet the bodily requirements for energy, development, and cell repair. Issues in the digestive can interfere with the body’s ability to get energy from food. While some gastrointestinal issues can go away with healthy eating habits, other concerns may require treatment.  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) IBS is a functional bowel disorder. This means the cluster of varied symptoms categorized as IBS is brought on by changes in the normal functioning of the digestive system. The primary sign is abdominal pain, which can develop before or after a bowel movement, and is a reliable indicator of IBS. Additionally, one may experience both constipation and diarrhea. The form of IBS can be determined depending on whether a person has diarrhea or constipation more frequently or both equally. Other IBS signs and symptoms are incomplete bowel motions, white mucus in the stool, and bloating. Nutrition is important for managing the symptoms of IBS, which includes eating low-fat, high-fiber meals and avoiding common trigger foods when the cause of the condition is unknown. Food poisoning or gastrointestinal infection are common causes.
Read More
8 Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

8 Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Most of us make it a goal to keep our house clean and tidy. Cleaning the house may look like a straightforward task, but there are certain aspects that are generally overlooked. Cleaning is a time consuming and tedious activity. And most of us make common cleaning mistakes that do not provide us with the results we expect. So here is a list of cleaning mistakes to avoid for better results and a sparkling clean home. Mixing cleaning chemicals You may think mixing two or more cleaning products will increase the cleaning power. However, this can be very dangerous as it might release toxic fumes. For example, household cleaners like Clorox Pinesol should never be mixed with bleach as they can react together to produce hazardous chlorine gas or even chloroform. Similarly, Pinesol disinfectant should not be mixed with room spray sanitizer as the chemicals could react together to unleash a toxic cloud of gases that can trigger respiratory problems and even cause skin burns. Instead of mixing chemicals, use a single cleaning agent or solution and stick to a reliable brand. Alternatively, you can also enlist the help of a cleaning company, like Servpro Services, which offers a range of affordable home cleaning services. Using feather dusters A feather duster may seem very useful, but all it does is spread the dust from one surface to another.
Read More
11 Potential Warning Signs of Excess Sugar Intake

11 Potential Warning Signs of Excess Sugar Intake

Processed foods like cakes, cookies, candies, and breakfast cereals contain added sugar, and most people find them delicious and irresistible. However, they have little nutritional value. Eating too many sweets can increase the risk of several health issues. For instance, it can lead to blood sugar spikes and heart disease. When a person eats too much sugar regularly, the body begins to give signs that it is time to cut back on sweet foods. High blood pressure Besides monitoring salt intake, people suffering from high blood pressure should watch their sugar intake because eating too much sugar is also linked to high blood pressure. According to a study, foods high in sugar can reduce nitric oxide in the blood vessels, which can, in turn, impact blood flow and lead to high blood pressure. Mood swings or irritability Feeling moody, irritable, or depressed on and off is a common sign of high sugar intake. Mood swings occur as foods high in sugar affect the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood. Sugary foods also negatively impact gut function, another factor linked to a person’s mood. Low energy or tiredness Binging on sugary snacks wreaks havoc on one’s blood sugar levels. It first causes blood glucose to rise, providing a boost of energy.
Read More