Improved Va Pension Benefit

[Gimpy]

Although this story is from North Carolina, it is of importance to veterans and their families nationwide.

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AS VETERANS AGE, THE IMPROVED PENSION BENEFIT GAINS POPULARITY -- Program offers many low-income veterans and surviving spouses up to $1,801 per month.

THOUSANDS IN THE CAROLINAS SAID TO BE MISSING OUT

As veterans age, benefit gains popularity

Federal program offers low-income seniors up to $1,801 per month


PAM KELLEY
pkelley@charlotteobserver.com


With her savings dwindling, 85-year-old Rose Arrington worried about the day she'd no longer be able to afford her comfortable apartment in a Rock Hill retirement community.


Then, in February, Arrington's first Improved Pension Benefit check arrived. She now receives $976 a month, which nearly doubles her income.


"It's just almost like a miracle for me," she says.


Veterans advocates have called the federal Improved Pension Benefit -- a program that can provide as much as $1,801 a month to some wartime veterans -- the government's best-kept secret.


Generally, beneficiaries have low incomes and need living assistance. About 2 million eligible people, including thousands in the Carolinas, are missing out, according to a 2004 report by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.


Now, the benefit, launched in the 1970s during the Carter administration, is gaining notice, as long-term care facilities, financial planners and county veterans' offices, including Mecklenburg's, work to educate seniors. Various Internet sites have raised its profile, and in December VA officials pledged to do more to publicize the program.


The program serves 65-and-over wartime veterans or widowed spouses. They can qualify for the basic pension if they have low incomes.


They can qualify with higher incomes if they need assistance with daily activities, such as driving, meals or bathing. For some, the benefit changes lives, making an assisted-living facility or retirement community affordable.


But the program has been so poorly publicized that many eligible veterans -- and even employees of veterans programs -- are unaware it exists. It now serves about 523,000 people.


Awareness is growing, however. In some cases, financial planners are holding free educational seminars. About a year ago, Charlotte financial planner and Navy veteran Doug Ray began visiting area assisted-living centers and nursing homes to educate veterans while targeting potential customers.


So far, he has helped about a dozen people win benefits, including Arrington, whose late husband, Branch Denmark Arrington, served in World War II.


A growing number of retirement communities and assisted-living facilities also are spreading the word.


Charlotte's Elmcroft Assisted Living describes the pensions in its brochures and has hosted presentations by Ray. Legacy Heights, an assisted living facility in the Ballantyne area, recently hosted Bob Weeks, director of Mecklenburg's Veterans Service office.


County and federal veterans' office employees are supposed to help veterans and their families file pension benefit applications, free of charge.


Though the VA says employees are well-trained and helpful, some critics complain that employees lack training and give erroneous information. The application process can be daunting: Forms run more than 20 pages and applicants often must re-file denied claims. The wait for approval can take a year.


Some veterans' advocates recommend family members pay a private company to do the application, just as taxpayers pay companies to do their taxes. They caution to check out the company's record. Fees may top $700.


But federal officials say there's no need to pay for services, and veterans shouldn't be afraid to fill out claims themselves. "If we've got questions, we'll ask," says the VA's Tom Pamperin.


In Mecklenburg, Weeks also discourages people from paying a private company. "Why go to a person and pay them when you can come to my office and do it for free?" he says.


His office recently launched an effort to help veterans get the benefits. He and co-workers are visiting long-term care facilities to explain the pensions, and he plans to send counselors to facilities to help with applications.


He admits, though, that he needs more staff.


Ken Rogers, head of Union County's Veterans Service office, has the same problem. "It's a double-edged sword," he says. "You want people to come in to apply. But good grief, how do you handle the workload?"


Improved Pension Benefits


? To qualify, veterans must be at least 65 or completely disabled. They must have served at least 90 days, with at least one day during wartime, even if service was stateside. Spouses of deceased veterans also are eligible.? Beneficiaries must meet income criteria. Eligibility is based on assets and income, minus medical expenses. Nursing home and assisted living costs count as deductible expenses, so you can have significant income and still qualify.


? There are three compensation levels : "Basic pension," for low-income veterans or spouses; "housebound," for people who need some assistance; and "aid and attendance," for people who need daily assistance.


? "Aid and attendance," the highest level, pays up to $1,801 per month for veterans with spouses, $1,519 for veterans only and $976 for surviving spouses.


? Most beneficiaries are World War II vets or spouses.


? People approved for pensions receive benefits retroactive from the application date. Benefits are not retroactive to the date of eligibility.



More Information


? www.vetassist.org , Web site of the American Veterans Institute, provides a step-by-step application guide, eligibility guidelines, and forms. Or call 937-669-2040.


? www.veteranaid.org offers general information, plus the story of one family's struggle to get the benefit.


? www.va.gov , the federal government's Web site. Click on "Benefits." Or call 800-827-1000.


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[39mto39g]

sorry you believe the worst in everyone Gimp.
Your perspective and outlook on peoples 'motives' is NOT something most folks would adhere to.

[Gimpy]

Your adolesence is really starting to wear thin.

WTF has your response got to do with the article above?

Don't you ever get tired of showing your ass to everyone around here?