MARINETTE, Wis. — Many veterans and their spouses are faced with the challenge of meeting long-term care needs, either in a nursing home, assisted living facility or care at home.

The federal Department of Veterans Affairs offers a pension program that may provide assistance for them.

What is a VA pension? VA pays the difference between countable family income and the yearly income limit that describes your situation. This difference is generally paid in 12 equal monthly payments rounded down to the nearest dollar.

Certain expenses — such as medical, education or those related to the last illness or burial of a dependent — paid by you are taken into consideration when arriving at your countable family income.

One of the requirements to qualify for this program is that the veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty, one day of which is in a wartime period. The VA then looks at the level of disability of the claimant, income, assets and cost of the long-term care. 

A claimant is considered housebound when they are unable to leave their residence. For example, they may only be ambulatory with the use of a wheelchair or scooter. In order for them to leave the house to shop or keep medical appointments, someone else must take them.

Another aspect of this entitlement is when the VA determines the veteran requires the regular aid and attendance of another person. More specifically, claimants who are unable to bathe, clothe or feed themselves usually meet the requirement. Residing in a nursing home fits this category, but individuals who are in assisted living or even in their own homes requiring a caregiver also can qualify.

In addition to the above programs, there also is a basic pension benefit for veterans or their survivors when a financial need is shown.

The VA pension program exists to help financially disadvantaged wartime veterans and survivors. Veterans, survivors or family members should work directly with their local county veterans service officer, or CVSO, or other VA-accredited representatives who provide this service for free, and should be cautious if someone offers to move assets around for you to qualify, if they charge a fee or guarantee you benefits, as the VA ultimately adjudicates all VA claims. A listing of accredited representatives can be found at www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp.

Your CVSO can discuss with you the income, eligibility and medical criteria necessary for those interested in this benefit and assist you in the application process.

For more information on this benefit and other state and federal programs offered by the VA, contact the Marinette County Veterans Service Office at 715-732-7650. Those outside Marinette County should contact their local CVSO.