Frequently Asked Questions
Veteran's Benefits
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No! Unlike the service-connected disability benefits, a veteran – or widow of a veteran – does not need to have been injured in the line of duty to qualify for V.A. Aid and Attendance.
In order to qualify for benefits, the veteran of widow must need assistance with 2 activities of daily living listed below:
- Dressing (includes reminders to dress and assistance with only specific articles of clothing;)
- Bathing (includes getting into/out of tub and providing stand-by assistance if a fall risk;)
- Eating (includes reminders to eat and special preparation to ensure the food can be eaten;)
- Toileting (includes getting up from toilet and assistance with incontinence;)
- Transferring (includes help in/out of bed or chair;) and ambulating with the home or living area.
To qualify for V.A. Aid and Attendance benefits the veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least 1 day during a “period of war.” Though a veteran must have “active duty” experience, there’s no requirement that the veteran had to have been overseas at a time.
In order for the V.A. to confirm your veteran status you will need to submit the original or a certified copy of the military discharge papers (DD-214 or equivalent) in with your application for benefits. For widows seeking the benefit, you will also send in proof of marriage to the veteran and the veteran’s death certificates part of your application.
Good question. To order a certified copy of the veterans discharge papers you should visit http://vetrecs.archives.gov/
Each country has a local veteran service officer (“VSO”) that is accredited to submit a claim on your behalf. While many of the local veteran service officers are a wonderful resource, they can only tell you if you qualify for assistance based on your current level of income and assets. Unlike a VSO, a V.A. Accredited Elder Law Attorney like Providence founder, Jamison Bonds, can help you rearrange your financial affairs in order to accelerate your eligibility for Veterans Benefits while preserving your wealth for the benefit of your family.
There’s no preparation necessary and you don’t need to bring any paperwork – just bring yourself and your questions. We’ll help you decide which services are right for you and your family.
Or give us a call
Ft. Smith (479) 434-3531
Conway (501) 499-6677
Medicaid Planning
Ask yourself this: Would you let this nursing home employee do your taxes? What about defend you against the IRS in a highly contentious audit involving a complex set of ambiguous rules and exceptions that have historically changed with regularity? Of course you wouldn’t! While nursing home employees mean well, they can’t even begin to scratch the surface of our depth of knowledge of breadth of experience in dealing with long-term care planning.
The same logic above applies here. Let them stick to what they know, and we’ll stick to what we know.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today.
Come on in. Let’s talk. There’s no preparation necessary and you don’t need to bring any paperwork – just bring yourself and your questions. During your consultation, we’ll help you decide which services are right for you and your family. Click below to book your appointment at our Fort Smith office.
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3223 Old Greenwood Rd, Fort Smith, AR 72903
Visit Us At Our Conway Office
803 Harkrider St Suite 14, Conway, AR 72032
