Tips for Applying for VA Benefits that can get You the Results You Need

Don't be Afraid to get a Consultant; it could make all the Difference

A study commissioned by the VA back in 2001 estimated, that over the next 14 years, only about 30 percent of eligible veterans would apply for their entitled pension.

The importance of using a knowledgeable consultant is invaluable when it comes to submitting a claim with the Veterans Administration. Getting the aid and attendance benefit is a slow process even for those applicants who know what they are doing.

On the other hand, for those who blindly submit a claim without the proper support documents, it can take 8 to 12 months for a decision from VA. A poorly documented claim may also result in a denial. A knowledgeable consultant can shorten the award decision to possibly 3 to 4 months. In addition, a consultant will make sure that all deductible expenses are applied in order to maximize the award.

Finally, and most importantly, the consultant will provide guidance to prevent denial of the claim. Pension is an under used benefit. There are different income categories for pension, but the highest could pay as much as $1,801 a month in disability income to a qualifying veteran household. A study commissioned by VA in 2001 estimated, over the next 14 years, only about 30 percent of eligible veterans would apply for pension.

The conclusion was most veterans simply don't know about it. In fact, according to the National Care Planning Council, about a third of all seniors in this country, over the age of 65, could become eligible for Pension under the right circumstances. When it comes to dealing with assets that may disqualify the applicant, there is an asset test to qualify for pension. Any asset or investment that could be easily converted into income might disqualify the claimant.

An asset ceiling of $80,000 is often cited in the media as beingthe test. The $80,000 has to do with VA internal filing requirements and is not the actual test. In reality, there is no dollar amount for the test and any level of assets could block the award. The asset test ultimately becomes a subjective decision made by the veterans service representative processing the application.

A home used as a residence and a vehicle are excluded from the asset test. VA will allow assets to be transferred or converted to income in order to meet the asset test. There are specific rules governing transfers of assets and what constitutes income from assets and it must be done correctly.

A qualified consultant can provide the necessary advice for a successful award. The application form provides no information on the existence of special treatment for annualized medical expenses.

If the initial application, involving annualized cost, is not done correctly, delays in record gathering could force the award decision to take up to a year. Or the eventual award could be substantially reduced or even denied. The applicant must wait another full year to reapply or go through a time consuming appeals process to correct any unfavorable decisions.

The secret for receiving a successful award for aid and attendance is not in filling out the form but in knowing what documents and evidence must be submitted with the application.

Knowing the secrets for a successful award is 95 percent of the battle. Filling out and filing a claim is a formality. A knowledgeable consultant can provide information to shorten VA's decision window of six to 12 months to as little as three or four months. The consultant also understands how to maximize the benefit or avoid a denial.

The consultant can also provide guidance for meeting the asset test. Finally, the consultant can provide the actual strategies for transferring assets and he or she can arrange for trusts or income conversions to allow for the best possible transfer of assets to beneficiaries thus avoiding taxes, family disputes and Medicaid penalties.

Unfortunately, it is harder that you might think to find a good veterans benefits consultant. There is no master directory in the US anywhere. Unbelievably there is not even one to be found on the Internet.

You could start by checking out the FREE ebook, Federal Benefits for Veterans, available as a PDF download without any sign-up, log-in or obligations, from AssEtEbooks.com.

If you cannot find an organization with a list of reputable veterans benefits consultants, you will have to find them through your local VA, DAV or VFW.

Don't let a little digging deter you from getting your  benefits. Go get what's rightfully yours! Get what you deserve. What you fought and risked your life for.

If I can somehow locate a national directory for veterans benefits consultants I will come back and update this article for you.

God Bless You! Thank you for your service.

Federal Benefits for Veterans

Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  This ebook contains a summary of these benefits effective Jan. 1, 2010.  Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. This guide is the most comprehensive source of information for Veterans to date, clearing up questions about medical issues, loans, education, housing, burials, medals, awards, etc. This guide ia a must have for any Veteran, or soon to be Veterans, their Spouces, Dependents and Survivors.

FREE, from AssEtEbooks.com, without any sign-up, log-in or obligations, HERE