www.CostaRicaTicas.com

No other way to describe a benefit used by .2 of eligible WWII and Korean War vets (much less when Viet Nam vets are included). What is it? The VA's aid-and-attendance benefit. This is essentially a Long-Term-Care program that's in addition to any VA pension program you are eligible for (but you must first be eligible for some type of VA pension). Here's a WSJ overview (all kudos to them), followed by the VA's explanation, followed by an independent organization's take on it:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 41218.html
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/pension/vetpen.htm#7
http://www.veteranaid.org/program.php

Unanswered questions are: (1) Is this payable outside the U. S? and (2) Is this a "first-payor" program or do you have to exhaust the benefits of another LTC program first, even if that program is Federally-sponsored?

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

It is a wonderful program. Provides funds to off set for both the home health care and for the nursing home assistance. Best of all it can give at least $50.00 a month for personal care for all the grandmas. Lets the the ole girls get hair and nails done. When shipped state side I spent a year in Wright Patterson AFB Hospital getting put back together. It sure as hell is not where I want to spend my last days. We owe it to our too our Senior Vets and their spouse to give them a little dignity when making their final deployment.

About two years back I attended a financial workshop to teach us the in's and out's of the program. Fact of the matter is that most of the VA reps and the councilors don't know the program. My exposure was to provide the counseling on how to fill out forms and to make sure you meet the means testing. Yes you need to keep available assets down. They will allow the giving away of assets in order to qualify. You don't need to be collecting a pension. Just spent time in service during a war and Honorable discharged. The rest is just financial. I had a Laywer son and a doctor daughter that where able to get the full benefit for their mom. Did not much care about the ethics of the giving away of the assets as the Vet was a CMH holder.

Just another proud VET.
Obi-Wan

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May the force be with you my CRT Jedi.

That's the other reason I posted this; To get some 1st person accounts of what it really is. Thanks, Brother Obi-wan.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED