The most important thing that you can do in planning for future contingencies is to act now. The future may hold limited resources or health problems for you and either one of these may prevent you from taking care of the things that you can easily achieve today. In Part 1 of this series, I […]
Planning for Long-Term Care (Part 2)
“Long-Term Care” refers to the broad spectrum of medical and support services provided to persons who have lost some or all capacity to function on their own due to a chronic illness or disabling condition, and who are expected to need such services over a prolonged period of time. Long-term care can consist of care […]
Planning for Long-Term Care (Part 1)
Are you one of the millions of Americans over age 50 who has not yet started planning for long-term care? As financially responsible adults, most of us are prepared for some unexpected disasters – we pay for health and property damage insurance, and many of us have taken some steps toward funding for our retirement. […]
Veterans Aid & Attendance Benefits Increase
Good news! For the first time since 2008, the Department of Veterans Affairs has announced an increase in maximum Aid and Attendance benefits available to veterans of the armed forces. These new figures for 2012 reflect a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment, effective December 1, 2011: $20,447 per year (~$1,704 per month) for a qualified veteran; $24,239 […]
Is Medicaid Too Complex for Americans?
Medicaid complexity is a real problem. For those not familiar with program specifics, Medicaid – not Medicare – is the program Americans rely on to receive their long-term care. Long-term care is extraordinarily expensive – in fact, it is the single most expensive creditor Americans are likely to face. Unfortunately, understanding the various Medicaid rules […]
Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit: What is the “Eligibility Verification Report?”
An important document for the veterans entitled to the Aid and Attendance benefit is a form called the “Eligibility Verification Report” (EVR) which VA sends at the beginning of the year and must be filled out every year in order to continue receiving benefits. Even when someone receives help from a loved-one when it comes […]
Happy Memorial Day: Are Additional Aid and Attendance Benefits Around the Corner?
Fun Memorial Day Facts The Farr Law Firm wishes you and yours a Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Monday is Memorial Day, and we would like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to our many friends, colleagues, and peers who have made sacrifices to ensure our freedom and principles. Here are a few fun […]
New Veteran Bill Would Increase Pension Benefits for Some Couples
The Honoring All Veterans Act of 2011 – introduced yesterday by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) –seeks to improve health care, education, employment, and housing for veterans. “Our military men and women have kept their promises to our country, and now we must keep faith with them, not only in words but in deeds,” said Blumenthal. […]
How to Avoid Losing Massive Amounts of Money to a Nursing Home
When older adults think of estate planning, many actually have asset protection in mind. What they want is the peace of mind of knowing that the nest egg they’ve been saving for that proverbial “rainy day” will actually be available for them when that rainy day comes. The rainy day, for most people, is when […]
Top 3 Advancements to Help Seniors Stay at Home: “No Thank You, Nursing Home”
With the right plan, seniors can qualify for Medicaid, take advantage of today’s latest elder care technologies, and protect the assets which otherwise could be drained by the catastrophic costs of long-term care.
Alito: VA Should Not Enforce “Rigid” Jurisdictional Requirements Against Veterans
While it may be true that the Supreme Court is often tasked with the daunting assignment of deciding the most controversial and divisive of issues, last Tuesday’s unanimous ruling was a little different. Most who are familiar with the facts of Henderson v. Shinseki would probably agree that the decision “felt right;” especially to the […]
Alito: VA Should Not Enforce “Rigid” Jurisdictional Requirements Against Veterans
While it may be true that the Supreme Court is often tasked with the daunting assignment of deciding the most controversial and divisive of issues, last Tuesday’s unanimous ruling was a little different. Most who are familiar with the facts of Henderson v. Shinseki would probably agree that the decision “felt right;” especially to the […]
Long Term Care for Senior Veterans
In the year 1919 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day to honor those Veterans who served during World War I. On November 11, 1954, Armistice Day was proclaimed a legal national holiday and the name was changed to “Veterans Day” to honor all veterans of all wars. Every November 11, ceremonies are […]
3 tips to effectively talk to your senior parents about long term care options
Today’s women are decision makers. For some couples, the woman is THE decision maker, and there’s nothing wrong with that. For example, in nearly 8 out of 10 cases where married couples purchase a vehicle, it is the woman who makes the final decision. And because women outlive men by 5.4 years on average, women […]
500 Veterans possibly exposed to HIV in Ohio
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Veterans Benefits: The “second time” help rule
AccreditationFederal law dictates that no one may help a veteran in the preparation, presentation and prosecution of an initial claim for VA benefits unless that person is accredited. The only exception to this law is that any one person can help any veteran — one-time only — with a claim. To help any veteran a […]
Working with Elder Parents in Planning Financially for their Long Term Care
You may be taking care of elderly parents now or looking at that possibility in the near future. According to a report from USATODAY/ABCNews/Gallup Poll, 41% of baby boomers are helping take care of elderly parents by providing personal help or financial assistance or both. If financial planning and long term care planning have not […]
Dolphins and dogs may help soldiers with PTSD decrease heart disease risk
According to Health.com, Veterans who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be at an increased risk for heart disease and early death. “[PTSD] is a disorder that occurs after a life-threatening event, such as personal assault, natural disaster, or military combat…affects can be debilitating with symptoms ranging from severe nightmares and flashbacks to insomnia […]
Veteran misses filing deadline due to mental illness: Fair?
A U.S. veteran from Maine was denied veteran’s benefits, and argues he was unable to file an appeal because of a mental disability. The case was argued before the Supreme Court earlier this month. Francis M. Jackson, a veterans’ disability benefits attorney from Maine explained the case is so important “because it raises issues of […]
Fire destroys 93 year-old’s proof of military service; now he can’t get benefits
Veteran’s proof of military service burns in fire; VA not willing to make exception A 93 year-old veteran from CA can’t get the benefits he says he is entitled to, even though he was drafted in 1943, and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Bakersfieldnow reports that the veteran is having difficulty […]