In this article, we are taking a deep look into VA benefits, and answer the top frequently answered questions about veterans' benefits.
Who Qualifies for Veterans' Benefits?
If you, your spouse, or your parent, was wounded or became ill during active duty, you may be eligible for VA benefits. You may also be eligible if military service caused aggravation to preexisting injuries and medical conditions.
If these injuries left lingering disabilities, you might qualify for more benefits. Additionally, as some disabilities manifest years after the end of service, you may be able to reevaluate your benefits.
How Do I Apply For Veterans' Benefits?
Senior veterans and their immediate families can apply for benefits through the official VA website. The site will ask you to submit several documents for evaluation. These documents include medical records, and discharge papers. These are documents any veteran can procure easily from any Veterans Service Officer.
If you seek specific papers, or are unable to fill the form, you can request assistance from any Veterans Service Officer. You can find your local Veterans Service Officer by searching online, or by contacting associations like VFW and Senior Veterans Care Network.
What is Pension Benefit?
Senior veterans with limited income may be eligible for pension benefits. This represents a monthly payment that isn’t tied to the degree of your disability. As long as you have been honorably discharged, you may apply for pension benefit.
Pension benefit is calculated based on your financial status. If you are in need of financial aid, VA will kick in. The more dependents you have, such as spouse and children, the higher your pension benefit will be.
Are Social Security Benefits and Veterans’ Benefits Mutually Exclusive?
While you can claim both social security benefits and VA compensation benefits, you cannot do so with pension benefits. Pension benefits are asset-based and you cannot combine them with other benefits.
Therefore, if you are about to retire, you will have to apply for VA pension benefits while relinquishing your social security benefits.
What is Veteran Affairs Home Loan?
Veterans may be eligible to claim a home loan guarantee from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. This guarantee allows you to contact a financial institution and request a loan without a down payment and with favorable terms.
However, the VA cannot grant you the loan directly. You will still have to qualify like with any other loan.
What is Emergency Assistance?
If a veteran needs emergency assistance to cover delinquent payments, they may be eligible for emergency assistance. Emergency assistance can help you pay rent, mortgage, and utility bills.
In order to claim emergency assistance, you have to contact the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in your state. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline at 1-877-424-3838.
How Is Disability Compensation Calculated?
The exact sum of your disability compensation will depend on the degree of your disability. This is calculated as a percentage and can be compared with the disability of other veterans. While veteran pension benefits are not tied to your disabilities, disability compensation depends solely on your wounds and injuries while on duty
To claim disability compensation, you will need to provide medical records and undergo a formal VA medical examination. Disability compensation covers transportation to and from medical facilities, and clothing expenses.
Can I appeal in case my Application is Refused?
Yes. You can appeal if your application was rejected. You can also appeal for increased benefits if your condition worsens or if a service-related medical problem manifests years after your service ended.
To appeal for your veteran benefits, you have to file a notice of disagreement with the VA. This is a complex procedure, so you might need legal assistance to submit your appeal.
Do Veterans get Free Legal Assistance?
If you need legal assistance, you may be able to obtain legal services from community resources and veteran support groups. These groups work outside the VA but may offer you free legal aid in case you need to appeal your veteran benefits.
How Much Does an Appeal Cost?
Most veteran benefits attorneys offer free services to veterans. These attorneys will claim no fee if your appeal fails. If they succeed, the VA is responsible for covering their expenses, so these don’t come out of your veteran benefits.
There is a minimal cost of $50 for court filing fees, and you can waive that too if you are in a difficult financial situation. That way, you can appeal for your benefits without having to worry about covering expensive legal costs.
Are Survivors Eligible for Benefits?
Finally, surviving spouses and children of veterans are eligible to claim compensation. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is awarded to survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or in service-related accidents.
Are you looking for Senior Veteran Care?
Now that you know how veterans’ benefits work, search our network for the best home care and assisted living to our nation's heroes.
The Senior Veterans Care Network empowers senior veterans, surviving spouses, and their adult children to search for the best care available. Our network includes trusted assisted living facilities, home care providers, senior care funding sources, and other accredited agents, all dedicated to senior veteran care.
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