Benefits for Veterans & Their Caregivers

A comprehensive guide provides information on available benefits for veterans and their caregivers to assist with day-to-day living. This guide covers a range of topics, including:

• Different types of benefits that are available for veterans and their caregivers, including financial, housing, transportation, and caregiving support
• How veterans and caregivers can be entitled to respite care
• Different support groups available for veterans and caregivers 

"According to studies, caregivers of veterans have a mean age of 70 years; that’s a lot to take on so late in life, and yet family members are still rising to the challenge for their loved ones. It is also believed that as many as 5.5 million Americans are currently caring for a veteran.

Aside from the obvious toll that it takes on a person to provide physical, mental, and emotional support for their loved ones, there are more practical problems that arise. For example, caregivers may need to alter their work schedule, or even give up their career altogether, meaning that there is a direct financial impact on the household. Where a mortgage or rent needs to be kept up with, this loss of income could also have a significant impact on the housing situation.

There are government programs designed to financially aid carers of veterans and currently, it is thought that as much as $5.9 billion is being spent annually to support these people."

Check out the resource: https://bestmobilityaids.com/veteran-and-caregiver-benefits/

Veteran Student Loan Forgiveness

Student Loan Forgiveness has been a controversial topic in the news and elections. Currently there are some lawsuits challenging the plan. However, it appears the program will endure. But military veterans are in a different category so check out this excellent website to guide you in pursuing loan forgiveness.  

"Multiple programs are available that provide veterans with student loan forgiveness and repayment assistance. From the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), these programs can help veterans get out of their student loan debt."

7 Student Loan Forgiveness Programs Specifically for Veterans

 1. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps Loan Repayment Program

2. Army College Loan Repayment

3. Health Professions Student Loan Repayment Program

4. National Guard Student Loan Repayment Program

5. Public Service Loan Forgiveness 

6. Total and Permanent Disability Discharge (TPDD)

7. VA Education Debt Reduction Program 

Details and links to further information on these programs are available at:

https://www.elfi.com/veteran-student-loan-forgiveness-how-does-it-work/

Older Veterans Often Miss Out on Long-Term-Care Benefits

"Many older war-era veterans and surviving spouses over the age of 65 across America are missing out on a major element in securing their retirements: the Aid and Attendance benefit for long-term care."
"The Aid and Attendance benefit is available to veterans and their spouses to help offset recurring medical costs and some of the costs for home care and assisted living care. This is a benefit for senior veterans who served during wartime—World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and the Gulf War—for at least 90 days of active duty and who are 65 or older, as well as their surviving spouses. It doesn't matter if the veteran served stateside or internationally, saw combat or didn't, was wounded or wasn't. If the veteran's doctor—not a VA doctor—affirms the veteran or spouse needs assistance, then he or she may be eligible for Aid and Attendance, regardless of Social Security, Medicare, pensions or other benefits." Get the details by Kevin Richards at: http://www.kiplinger.com/article/insurance/T036-C032-S014-older-veterans-miss-out-long-term-care-benefits.html

Misleading Mortgage Advertisements

"Federal regulators are cracking down on ads from mortgage lenders that they say are misleading, including ones specifically targeting the elderly and veterans."

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are investigating several mortgage lenders that have committed "serious violations of the law."

An analysis of  800 mortgage ad found some that "implied private programs were backed by the government, or misled regarding the interest rates or costs tied to the mortgages." "The CFPB and the FTC were looking for potential violations of the 2011 Mortgage Acts and Practices Advertising Rule, which prohibits misleading claims concerning government affiliation, interest rates, fees, costs, payments associated with the loan, and the amount of cash or credit available to the consumer." All of these are examples of predatory lending where the lender wants to put the consumer into a loan where they will default and the lender will seize the home.  Check this link: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/pressreleases/consumer-financial-protection-bureau-warns-companies-against-misleading-consumers-with-false-mortgage-advertisements/