New Rules: VA is proposing sweeping changes to the Aid and Attendance Program that will effectively deny benefits to our aging veterans and their widows. Public Comment will close on March 24, 2015. We need your voice to preserve their benefits.
It is now more urgent than ever to plan.
What You can do:
- File Comment
- Share
- Contact Your Congress Member
NEWS RELEASE: Veterans Administration Invites Public Comment by March 24, on Proposed Changes to Benefits for Veterans and Surviving Spouses
The Veterans Administration is proposing sweeping changes to the Aids and Attendance Program under its New Improved Pension Program that could limit access to needed benefits by wartime veterans and their surviving spouses. In response to findings by the Government Accounting Office, VA has stated that it has prepared the rule changes to restrict applicants from transferring or depleting assets to qualify for the program. Although these abuses account for one percent of the total applicants, the rulings would affect all applicants. The VA has allowed public comment until March 24.
The Aids and Attendance Program impacts veterans over 65 and their widows who need help with long-term care costs. These cash payments allow elderly veterans and their widows to remain in home settings for longer periods of time, retain independence in assisted living environments, partially subsidize private payment for nursing home care, minimize impoverishment of the well spouse, and extend the resources available to pay the costs of care.
Proposed changes to the rule would require a 36-month look-back period for asset transfers; a defined net worth limit that excludes the primary residence based on lot size; calculations of penalty periods creating unjustifiably harsh outcomes; an almost absolute presumption that asset transfers were for the purpose of qualifying for benefits; imposed penalty periods of up to 10 years; punitive treatment of transfers to trust and for purchase of annuities far exceeding the penalty concept and capping at home care costs.
Public comments to the proposed changes must be submitted no later than March 24, 2015. Following are the three ways to submit comments:
1. Online: http://www.regulations.gov (the VA’s preferred method and ours too)
2. Fax: (202) 273-9026,
3. Regular mail: Director, Regulation Policy and Management (02REG)
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068,
Washington, DC 20420
- Comments must state that they are in response to “RIN 2900-AO73.” Comments that just agree or disagree are not as effective as those that provide reasons and examples of how the changes would impact veterans and their spouses. Go to www.regulations.gov and enter “RIN 2900 AO73” to see online filed comments.
- Please also express your views to Congress. An easy way to find your Congressional contact information and email addresses, type your zip code into the directory at www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/
- If you have questions, contact us at [email protected]
- Finally, you can read the actual text of the proposed rule changes by going to: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=VA-2015-VBA-0003-0001. The Executive Summary and the Summary of the Major Provisions are helpful.
For Our Talking Points on VA Proposed Changes, click here.
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