Our Dedicated Legal Team Can Help You Access Veterans’ Benefits for North Carolina Seniors
At Carolina Family Estate Planning, we deeply appreciate the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women to protect our country and way of life. Attorney Jackie Bedard, the founder of our firm, has dedicated her practice to supporting those who have given so much for our nation. Jackie and our team not only assist veterans in obtaining the benefits they've earned but also provide comprehensive estate planning to ensure all aspects of their family's health and financial well-being are secure for life.
Obtaining Benefits Under the Veterans Aid and Attendance Special Pension Benefit or the Veterans Housebound Special Pension Benefit Program
Senior veterans and their spouses—if they require assistance—may qualify for the Veterans Aid and Attendance Special Pension Benefit or the Veterans Housebound Special Pension Benefit program, whether they live in their home, in an assisted living facility, or in a continuing care retirement community.
Not only can we help you determine your eligibility under these programs, but we can also walk you through the process of obtaining the benefits. If the veteran served on active duty for at least 90 days, with at least one of those days during a period designated as wartime, the benefits up to the following may be available for 2024:
- $2,300 per month ($27,609 per year) for a qualified veteran.
- $2,727 per month ($32,729 per year) if the veteran is married.
- $1,478 per month ($17,743 per year) for a surviving spouse of a qualified veteran.
- $3,649 per month ($43,791 per year) if both spouses are qualified veterans.
If you are a veteran or veteran’s spouse or widow facing in-home care or long-term care expenses, you may qualify for benefits, even if you are not in need of 24-hour care.
Take Care When Filing a Claim for Benefits as a Veteran In North Carolina
One of the main reasons for long-term planning is that as a veteran or veteran’s spouse ages, he or she may benefit from the assistance of different government programs depending upon the level of care required. While a VA program might be the best solution now, Medicaid is likely to be better later on down the road.
When applying for North Carolina veterans’ benefits, it is not uncommon for an applicant to reallocate assets, shift income, or purchase annuities so that they qualify for VA benefits. This can create significant problems later on when it comes time for Medicaid, costing you and your family thousands in the long run.
Examples of potentially problematic actions include:
- Transferring assets to family members or trusts without proper planning
- Purchasing annuities that may not meet Medicaid's specific requirements
- Spending down assets in ways that don't align with Medicaid's look-back period rules
- Gifting large sums of money or property without considering future Medicaid eligibility
- Selling assets for less than fair market value
- Failing to properly document asset transfers or financial transactions
- Converting countable assets to non-countable assets without expert guidance
How We Can Help
As North Carolina Veterans' Aid & Attendance lawyers, we help veterans and their families navigate the complex world of VA benefits. Here's how we serve you:
- Eligibility Assessment for Aid & Attendance. We thoroughly review your military service record and current health status to determine your eligibility for the Aid & Attendance benefit. Our experience in North Carolina-specific regulations ensures we identify all potential avenues for qualification.
- Application Assistance for NC Veterans. Our team guides you through the application process, tailored to North Carolina's requirements. We help gather local medical documentation, complete forms accurately, and submit applications promptly to the appropriate VA offices in North Carolina.
- North Carolina VA Appeals Process. If your Aid & Attendance claim is denied, we become your dedicated advocate. We prepare and file appeals, represent you before the VA Board, and leverage our knowledge of VA practices to argue your case effectively.
- Maximizing Benefits for NC Veterans. We strive to secure the highest possible benefit for you. We advise on how to present your case to demonstrate the full extent of your need for aid and attendance.
- Long-Term Planning in North Carolina. We help coordinate your Aid & Attendance benefits with other programs like North Carolina Medicaid. Our team assists with estate planning tailored to NC veterans' needs and advises on asset protection strategies specific to our state's laws.
- Staying Current with NC VA Regulations. We continuously monitor changes in VA laws and North Carolina-specific regulations. This up-to-date knowledge allows us to provide the most current and effective advice for your Aid & Attendance claim.
