On Veteran’s Day, I wrote about Veterans and benefits that are offered through the Veteran’s Administration that vets and their spouses may or may not know about. Thank you to Beth Guilmart, Senior Advocate, for arranging for the Veteran’s Association to again be on hand at The Dale Association to present important information for spouses of veterans; this includes veterans living or deceased.
FREE Veteran's Spouse Benefit Informative Presentation, January 9th, and April 11th, 2013 from 1:00-3:00 pm at our Centre (33 Ontario St, Lockport, NY). Please RSVP by calling: 716-433-1886.
Guilmart says, “Time and time again, I work with seniors who do not always realize they may qualify for Veteran benefits. More times than not, spouses of deceased veterans think they do not qualify because their husband is deceased; this is not the case. I think it is important for veterans’ spouses to attend this informational meeting to learn about benefits. Some benefits are overlooked by many families with Veterans or surviving spouses who need additional monies to help care for ailing parents or loved ones. Coverage and eligibility has changed over the years and veterans, their widows and widowers are encouraged to check on eligibility. This presentation is the perfect opportunity to learn.”
“Wartime Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Benefit” is available to veterans who served during a declared wartime period; their spouses may be eligible, as well; spouses of deceased veterans may also qualify. The monthly benefits vary depending on monthly cash flow, minus health expenses. The rent at a senior care facility may be considered a health expense.
Veterans must have served on active duty - but not necessarily in the combat theatre and their discharge from active duty must have been under conditions other than dishonorable. The Veteran’s Administration recognizes these war periods:
Mexican Border Period – May 9, 1916 through April 5, 1917, for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters.
World War I – April 6, 1917 through November 11, 1918 for veterans who served in Russia. April 6, 1917 through April 1, 1920, extended through July 1, 1921 for veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918.
World War II – December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946.
Korean War – June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955.
Vietnam War – August 5, 1964 (February 28, 1961 for veterans who served “in country” before August 5, 1964) through May 7, 1975.
Gulf War – August 2, 1990 through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation- still open.
Approval of the application takes approximately 6-9 months, but the benefit is retroactive to the month after the completed application is received by the Veteran’s Administration counselor. It is imperative that the application is completed accurately and completely to prevent delays. The following is a list of items you will need before filing an application:
DD214 or Honorable Discharge
List of monthly medical expenses
List of all income – copies of SSA, pension statements, bank statements
List of all assets
Copy of Marriage Certificate
Copy of Death Certificate if surviving spouse is applying
We don’t want our vets, or their widows/widowers to fall through the cracks and loose benefits that they may be eligible for. There are more benefits than in the past and vets and spouses should check into whether they are eligible. To register for this free informational presentation on January 9 from 1:00-3:00, please call at 433-1886.
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