New Medicaid and VA Figures for 2020 (Part 1)
The Social Security Administration announced last month the cost of living adjustment for 2020. This adjustment is also applied to many of the government programs besides Social Security, that affect our clients’ lives. So here it is. Following an increase last year of 2.8%, this year the increase is smaller, only
New VA Rules Effective 10/18/18 (Part 3)
This week’s post is my third in a three part series regarding the new changes to the VA Aid and Attendance program. As I stated last week, the biggest focus will be on a new 3 year look back and penalty for transfer of assets. That does in many
New VA Rules Effective 10/18/18 (Part 2)
In last week’s post, I reviewed some major changes to the VA Aid and Attendance program. The one that gets the most attention for obvious reasons is the imposition of a 3 year look back and penalty period. This will restrict immediate access to the benefit for many veterans,
New VA Rules Effective 10/18/18 (Part 1)
I have written many times in the past several years about possible rules changes to the VA Aid and Attendance pension program, which provides additional income to aging veterans and their spouses who need long term care. Well, those changes are finally here and with almost no warning. The
New Medicaid and VA Figures for 2016 #2016Medicaidnumbers
Each year, many of the programs that, as elder law attorneys, we deal with daily, such as VA Aid and Attendance and Medicaid, are adjusted for inflation through a cost of living adjustment. For 2016, the Social Security Administration announced that Social Security recipients will receive no increase, the
VA Pension not Income for Medicaid Purposes (An Update)
Last year I wrote about an important court ruling in a case that impacts Medicaid and VA Aid and Attendance benefits. Several elder law attorneys filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey which, despite being in clear violation of federal law, insisted on counting VA Aid and
Alert – Veterans Administration New Regulations Propose 3 Year Look Back
On January 23, 2015, the VA took the initiative in proposing new regulations that would penalize wartime veterans and their spouses up to 10 years for making gifts, if they wish to qualify for the VA’s Aid and Attendance program. As many readers of
NY Times Article on VA Aid and Attendance – Just a Little Misleading (Part 2)
Last week I was discussing the recent New York Times article, which profiled a World War II veteran, Henry Schaffer. Mr. Schaffer, according to the journalist, paid a VA accredited attorney to get him VA benefits, only to find out that he doesn’t qualify because his income is too high.
NY Times Article on VA Aid and Attendance – Just a Little Misleading
Two weeks ago there was a front page New York Times article titled, “Winning Veterans’ Trust and Profiting From It”. The article profiled a World War II veteran, Henry Schaffer, who was told by a VA accredited attorney that he could qualify for a VA pension that would help him
News Alert – VA Rules Changes Coming
The winds of change are blowing over the VA landscape. I’ve written about this in the past and the time may soon be here. These are changes that you need to understand. Over the years, many of our clients have been able to qualify for an Improved Pension (sometimes called Aid