Long Term Care Planning: VA Pension for Veterans. On June 15th, 2012, the Governor signed the Veteran’s Access to Public Assistance Programs bill (SB391). This bill mandates that, effective July 1, 2012, to the extent permissible by federal law, federal Aid and Attendance pension benefits granted to a veteran, or to the surviving spouse of a veteran, shall be disregarded when determining income eligibility for the following Connecticut programs:
- State-Administered General Assistance (Cash Assistance) program
- Medicare Savings programs
- Connecticut Pharmacy Assistance for Elders (ConnPACE) program
- Medicaid (generally), including Medicaid for Low Income Adults programs
- Connecticut Home Care Program for the Elderly (CHCPE)
- Pilot program to provide Personal Care Assistance under CHCPE
- State Supplementation to the Supplemental Security Income Program
- Fuel and Weatherization Assistance Program
By disregarding federal Aid and Attendance pension benefits, many veterans or their spouses may now be eligible for one or more of these important state assistance programs.
Allison DePaola is a Veteran’s Benefits Planning Accredited Attorney, #20213.
Please contact our office if you need help with veteran’s benefit issues, including the Pension, Aid and Attendance, or Homebound benefit. We stay abreast of changes in the law, and have experience advising clients in preparing and filing VA benefits applications. We are prepared to counsel you to determine if you or a family member are eligible to receive such benefits.