National Partnership Helps Veterans Get Health Care They Need, Deserve

CINCINNATI, Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Home Helpers, a national senior in-home care franchise, has partnered with Veterans Care Coordination (VCC) to help qualifying veterans and surviving spouses receive the Department of Veterans Affairs' Pension with Aid and Attendance Benefit.

"What many veterans and their spouses don't realize is they may be eligible for up to $24,648 per year of tax-free money to pay for home care services," Home Helpers president Emma Dickison says.

The benefit helps to cover medical expenses, including home care services such as bathing, dressing, feeding and personal hygiene.

"What makes this partnership unique is the fact that we can offer interest-free loan assistance to Home Helpers clients that cannot afford up-front, out-of-pocket expenses for home care," Veterans Care Coordination president Kyle Laramie says. "Our experts guide clients through the complicated application process, making it less stressful." VCC simplifies the process by pre-screening clients for eligibility and gathering the required documentation.

According to VA.gov, the average qualifying veteran can receive as much as $1,732 a month, while a qualifying surviving spouse can receive up to $1,113 a month. The average qualifying couple can receive up to $2,054 a month. A healthy veteran with a sick spouse can receive up to $1,360 a month, and a veteran married to a veteran can receive as much as $2,676 a month. 

"I paid out of pocket for my own parents' care because I found the application process too overwhelming and complicated," said Mark Thommerson, owner of Home Helpers & Direct Link in Corsicana, Texas. "When my franchise partnered with VCC, I decided to try applying again with their help. We began the process in April and received VA benefits by August. The VCC made it easy and understandable for my family, so I feel confident offering their expertise to my clients."

Thommarson is currently providing home care for eight clients who qualify for the benefit, and another seven who are pending approval.

Since 2006, VCC has helped 7,500 people apply for and obtain the Pension with Aid and Attendance Benefit.

SOURCE Home Helpers