The VA Benefits Checklist

Nov 07, 2014

By Estate Planning Attorney Rick Law of The Estate Planning Center at Law Elder Law in Aurora, IL, just off I-88

Want to apply for much needed Veterans benefits? Here are the items you’ll need if you are a veteran, veteran and spouse, or widow or widower of a veteran.

Veteran only:

• DD-214 or discharge papers
• Annual Social Security Award letter received in January OR other documentation to verify your income
• A printout from your pharmacy of three months of expenses
• Copies of all your latest financial statements

Veteran and spouse:  All of the above for you and your spouse, PLUS

• Marriage certificate
• Death certificate or divorce decree if either spouse was previously married

Widow or Widower of a veteran:

• The veteran’s DD-214 or discharge papers
• Annual Social Security Award letter received in January AND other documentation to verify your income
• A printout from your pharmacy of three months of expenses
• Marriage certificate
• Veteran’s death certificate
• Death certificate or divorce decree related to any previous marriages of either you or the veteran
• Copies of all your latest financial statements

Additional forms that will need to be filled out and filed with the claim for benefits:

• Statement of Attending Physician
• VA Form 21-0779 – Nursing Home Information
• Report OR Care Provider Report
• Authorizations and Consent to Release Information to the VA for each physician of the veteran or spouse
• Statement Regarding Claimant’s IRA
• VA Form 8416 Medical Expense Report

If the veteran you love could use some extra money to help pay for the cost of in-home, nursing home, or assisted living care, give our office a call at 800-310-3100 or 630-585-5200.  Your first consultation is absolutely free.  We’ll let you know what steps you need to take, right now, to protect yourself and your family.  Call now!
Sincerely,

Rick L. Law, Attorney, Estate Planner for Retirees

Rick was named the #1 Illinois elder law estate planning attorney by Leading Lawyer Magazine. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, TheStreet.com, and numerous newspapers and articles. Rick is the lead attorney for Law Elder Law, LLP, focusing in Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Nursing Home Solutions. His goal is to give retirees an informed edge when it comes to dealing with an uncertain future.  Get flexible retirement strategies that work during good times and bad, plus information on how you can save your home and assets from being used to pay for long term care.