The document summarizes Aid & Attendance, a financial benefit program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides additional monthly pension payments to eligible war-time veterans and surviving spouses to help cover costs of assisted living, home care, or nursing home care. To qualify, a veteran must have served 90 days active duty including at least one day during a recognized war period, be receiving care for a non-service related disability or be over 65, and have medical expenses equal to or exceeding their income. Surviving spouses of veterans who were married at least one year prior to the veteran's death may also qualify. The document provides details on eligibility requirements and how to apply for the benefit.

1. Aid & Attendance A Financial Benefit For Spouses & War-time Veterans Pat O’Dea-Evans, MS, RN, LCPC, CCM www.ASilverConnection.com 866-421-8266

2. Welcome Overview/ Introduction 1.What is Aid & Attendance=how come you never heard about it? As of 1/1/2009. $1,644 per month to a veteran, $ 1,056 per month to a surviving spouse, $1,949 per month to a couple. 2. Who does it apply to? 3. How do I get it?

3. Why Is This Important… TJ O’Dea, US Marine WWII Okinawa and China Helps Many Seniors Pay Privately for: Assisted Living, In-Home Caregiver, Nursing Home. Helps them qualify for other VA services. Helps them accept help. Respects them for service to our country.

4. Is This New? HOW LONG HAS THIS A/A BENEFIT BEEN AROUND? In one form or another…it’s been around since the Civil War. “ it’s our responsibility to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and for his orphan” Abraham Lincoln

5. CIVIL WAR EXAMPLE OF A & A

6. A/A Improved Pension Benefit O ut of $22 Billion dollars allocated by Congress this past year for the A/A benefit, less than $4 Billion was paid out. A recent study showed that only 25% of eligible veterans and only 17% of eligible widows participate in the program. H eadline Florida Sun on 12/26/05 2 million Veteran Widows miss out on VA benefits

7. Three minute rule Army Times did a “mystery Shopper” study and reported in March 2006 that 50% of callers to the VA received the Wrong information on this benefit. VA has no mandate to educate Veterans about benefits they may be eligible for

8. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: SERVICE: 90 days active duty, with 1 day during a time of conflict/war: Mexican American War, WWI, WWII, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Gulf War I & ongoing, some other dates have been included by Congress. DISCHARGE: other than dishonorable.DD-21 Non Service Related Disability or over age 65 HAVE A CURRENT NEED for CARE, Be RECEIVING and PAYING for CARE. (Physician Approval) 5. Current Cost of Medical Care Equal to or Exceed current income for full amount. Home/Auto excluded 6. SURVIVING SPOUSE: you were married to Veteran at time of his / her death 1yr+.

10. WW2 & Korea Vets Today Most in 80’s or 70’s

11. Points to Ponder A/A Veterans automatically get full VA Health care and prescription benefits. Assisted living automatically qualifies you Home care can be provided by a relative Money is Tax Free Retroactive to application date Payment goes directly to Vet/widow VA has No penalty for transfer of assets

12. How to apply Discharge separation papers DD-214 or standard form 180. Now online @ http:// www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html Surviving spouse needs marriage cert & death cert Social security award letter JAN Proof of bills Physician statement VDVA 10

13. Waiting Time 125 days A reverse mortgage can be used when waiting for VA to approve application. Reverse mortgage can take as little as 30 days. Need a persistent and vigilant champion for the senior.

14. Success! If all goes well, they will receive a letter saying "Benefits have been awarded" with a date when the benefits will begin! However, if they have found the claimant to be " Incompetent" due to dementia or Alzheimer's, they may withhold the benefit until a fiduciary is set in place.

15. Web Resources www.seniorveteran.org h orttwwwp :// www.Hadit.com www.VA.gov http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/about_vonapp.asp Pat.ODea@Paxem.com @ 847-303-9602 Be prepared if you call the VA directly you may get the wrong information or be told that you are not eligible

16. Forms Forms can be found online www.seniorveteran.org First Step VDVA 10 Physician Statement 10-10EZ medical expenses NEXT STEP Spouse=21-534 Couple or VET only=21-526 21-4142 , 21-8416

17. Do not file without an advocate!!! Basic information= Free Services Pat O’Dea-Evans, MS,RN,LCPC,CCM [email_address] www.paxem.com 847-462-8266 Senior Housing and Care Placement Expert Copyright 2008

18. Thank You For Tom O’Dea & Al Evans

19. Ect..Application Points Only the claimant/senior signs the paperwork. VA does not recognize a power of attorney to sign for the claimant. If that is not possible, have them sign an "X" and follow the witness instructions. Copies of discharge papers, marriage, death cert., and medical history provided by MD office in IL VAVD 10 form, proof of income (bank statements, block out account numbers) is all there. The Veteran should receive a courtesy letter in about 4-6 weeks from the VA stating they have received their application and are working on it. If they do not get the letter call 800-827-1000. Also, if someone else is calling for the claimant, make sure they filed a 21-22a. Have the veterans social security number available. The VA still may not speak with a representative but be persistent or have the claimant present.