Veterans' Benefits

You May Qualify for VA Benefits

Benefits are Available to Seniors who served during War time,

Their Spouses after Death, & their Adult Disabled Children

Goals of Veteran Benefits Planning

  • To support Veterans in obtaining benefits that pay for the cost of home health care, assisted living and nursing home care
  • To coordinate the Veterans' benefits so that they do not conflict with other nursing home benefits to provide the best care for the Veteran

Most people are unaware of a great benefit that exists for veterans and their surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs. This benefit is a pension designed to help reimburse veterans and their surviving spouses for the high cost of care associated with aging.

At Cooper, Adel & Associates, we have made this pension a priority, because we value our veterans and the spouses who supported their sacrifices by serving our country and protecting our way of life. In return, we want to help you protect your way of life. When veterans ask about this pension, and whether they qualify, we say to them, “it is not do you qualify, but how do you qualify.”

5 things to know...

  1. It is not necessary to be impoverished to qualify - what you do need is enough out-of-pocket medical expenses to make you eligible.
  2. These benefits are called a “pension.” However, this term tends to be confusing because it has nothing to do with years of service as we normally think of a pension.
  3. It is available to qualifying wartime veterans who require the aid and attendance of another person to avoid the hazards of his or her daily environment.
  4. Your disability does not need to be service-related.
  5. Benefits can be for you, or for your surviving spouse.

"Getting lost in the VA system is definitely a concern"

Important: You must coordinate all of your government benefit programs - what you do to qualify for one program may keep you from qualifying for another!

Do you qualify?

For the Veteran:


Did you serve for at least 90 days, one day of which was during one of the following periods of war:
World War II - December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946
Korean Conflict - June 27, 1950 - January 31, 1955
Vietnam Era - August 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975

  • Are you over 65?
  • Did you receive an honorable discharge?
  • Is your income substantially reduced by out-of-pocket expenses for medical care such as Assisted Living, Home Health Care Aides of nursing homes?
  • Do you need assistance to remain independent?

For Spouses of a Deceased War Veteran:

  • Are you the widow of a wartime veteran?
  • Are you over 65?
  • Do you need assistance with the activities of daily living?


Cooper, Adel & Associates can provide guidance to you in the following areas:

  • Referral service to the appropriate legal counsel who can provide you with the basic estate plan documents such as powers of attorney, wills & possibly trusts
  • Basic analysis of any income tax, estate tax, and gift tax issues
  • Care options available in the local community for both the Veteran and spouse
  • A review of Medicare and benefits to pay for nursing home costs as it applies to your circumstances
  • A compressive understanding of availability and estate of personal and financial, as well as family resources to pay for care
  • Analysis of financial suitability of any asset protection tools
  • Analysis of both positive and negatives of all tools and planning options
  • A calculation of the actual dollar benefit and/or cost of any helpful idea that is discussed