The number of military retirees in the United States is estimated to be 2.19 million in 2021. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a wide range of benefits and services to make life easier for senior veterans. If you are a veteran reaching retirement age, it is important to know the benefits that are available to you.
Here are some of the major benefits available to senior veterans.
Veteran’s Pension
To help wartime veterans, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides supplemental income through the Veterans Pension Program. It is a tax-free monetary benefit for veterans who meet the eligibility criteria.
Aid and Attendance Benefit
Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit is an increased monthly pension amount available for veterans who are receiving or eligible for the pension program. You can get the A&A benefit if you fall into any of the following categories:
- Require help to perform daily functions like bathing, eating, or dressing
- Bedridden
- A patient in a nursing home
- Your eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
Housebound Benefits
Housebound is a benefit program for veterans required to stay within their immediate premises because of a permanent disability. Like A&A Benefits, Housebound is also available only to those who are eligible for the pension program. But note, a veteran can’t get Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time.
Geriatrics and Extended Care Services
Geriatrics and Extended Care Services (GEC) is not only available to veteran seniors in nursing homes or other settings like assisted living and community residential care but also veterans aging in place at home. The GEC offers home and community-based services including home-based primary care, palliative care, hospice care, respite care, skilled home healthcare, telehealthcare, and veteran-directed care.
Military Burial
All veterans who served without receiving a dishonorable discharge are eligible for a military burial. The state of Minnesota offers three state cemeteries as a final resting place for veterans and their families.
At Dellwood Gardens, we help to educate our residents on how to access their benefits and assist them in leading a comfortable and independent life. If you are a senior or a family member looking for an assisted living community for your loved one, contact us for more information or to schedule your free tour.