Fort Myers Veteran Benefits Lawyer
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits known as Aid & Attendance to help veterans cover the costs of in-home or nursing home care. Unfortunately, it typically takes from eight to ten months just to find out if your application has been approved or denied. If at all possible, you want to get it right the first time to avoid delays you can’t afford due to unnecessary denials and appeals. The Fort Myers veteran benefits lawyers at Kuhn Law Firm, P.A. are experienced helping veterans, seniors and disabled adults get the benefits they need to afford the care they deserve. Learn more about VA Aid & Attendance benefits below, and call our office for assistance throughout Lee, Collier & Charlotte counties.
Eligibility for Aid & Attendance
Eligibility for Aid & Attendance benefits is limited to wartime veterans with at least 90 days of active duty service, where at least one of those days started or ended during a period of war. Benefits are also available to surviving spouses of servicemembers who met the above criteria. Eligible veterans are also limited to about $80,000 in assets, not counting a house or cars, so it is important to work with experienced estate planning and asset protection attorneys when applying for VA Aid & Attendance benefits.
Aid & Attendance benefits are added to the veteran’s monthly VA pension check to cover the costs of nursing home care or an in-home aide. An eligible veteran is considered entitled to Aid & Attendance when the veteran meets one of the following criteria:
- Needs help with daily tasks such as eating, dressing, bathing, or simply getting through the day
- Is housebound
- Is bedridden
- Is in a nursing home due to a physical or mental disability
- Has seriously limited vision
Skilled Preparation from the Start
Applicants have the best chance for success when their application is professionally prepared and supported by complete and thorough documentation, such as financial documents, medical documents, insurance information, a marriage certificate, discharge papers, the veteran’s social security award letter, nursing home records, or a death certificate in the case where a surviving spouse is filing for benefits.
Claims are handled differently depending upon which application processing center they are sent to, and the extent of supplemental documentation requested varies considerably, particularly when the application is being submitted by a fiduciary or guardian rather than the veteran personally. We know where your application is going and will work with you to include all necessary documentation to get your application processed correctly.
Litigation when Needed
If your claim is denied, there is a process for litigating appeals. As experienced courtroom litigators in Florida estate, trust and elder law matters, the attorneys at Kuhn Law Firm are ready and able to pursue your claim through all appropriate channels in pursuit of eventual success on your claim.
Help is Available for VA Aid & Attendance Claims in South Florida
If you are applying for VA benefits in Fort Myers, Naples, Port Charlotte and surrounding communities, or if your application for Aid & Attendance has been denied, call Kuhn Law Firm, P.A. at 239-333-4529 for a free consultation to find out how our veteran benefits lawyers can help you get the benefits you need and deserve.
