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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.

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