Speaker
Christopher Barnthouse

Session Details

Benefits Available for Military Veterans, Spouses and Survivors

Finance & Insurance

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025
Time: 10:55 am

Many veterans think that because they receive their health care at a Veterans Administration hospital, the VA will provide their long term care as well.  That is not the case.  VA health care benefits are primarily allocated to veterans based on a priority system that takes into account length of service, service-conntected disabilties, financial need, etc.  When it comes to long term care, the VA is kind of like Medicare: the rules are different.  The VA makes its determination on paying for long term care (and it really only pays for nursing homes) based on service connected disability and impairment level.  The VA will pay for nursing home care for veterans with a 100% service connected disability or with a 70% or greater SCD if they are homebound. In fact, the federal government established the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program, a group long term care insurance policy that is available to federal employees including military and retirees, to address the long term care needs of the military.  The VA does not generally pay for assisted living or home health care, but there are some experimental programs that may become available in the next few years.

Learning Objectives:

  1. What health care benefits are available to veterans, their spouses and their family members and how they can be accessed including new benefits available under the Pact Act and ChampVA.
  2. What long term care benefits are available to veterans and their families including nursing home care, aid and attendance benefits, and new community services.  Discussion includes pros and cons of each program, how to qualify, and how to help veterans apply for and receive these benefits.
  3. What death benefits are available to veterans and their spouses including burial benefits and death indemnity compensation. Discussion includes eligibility and how to apply for and receive the benefits.

 

This session is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice from a qualified financial advisor.