During the last couple years this benefit has become very popular. Many seniors are approaching a time when they need assistance in a few activities of daily living and wartime veterans and their surviving spouses are eligible for a tax-free pension benefit from the Veterans administration.

This is a benefit for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in bathing, eating, dressing and toileting. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in an assisted living community or nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity.

Such benefit ranges from $1,056 for a surviving spouse/widow to $2,540 for two married veterans. Such amount is a monthly pension.

Main requirements include war veterans with 90 days of active duty, one day beginning or ending during a period of war (not necessarily serving at it); a surviving spouse of a war veteran (marriage must have ended in death); and qualify both medically and financially.

Although this is not a new program, not everyone is aware of his or her potential eligibility. This pension benefit may be available to wartime veterans and surviving spouses who have in-home professional care or who live in assisted living or nursing home communities, although it is more difficult to qualify when living at home and receiving home care.

Several local residents have had success with receiving approval for the benefit and there are many ways to learn more about this process. Having a qualified consultant with experience in the subject is the main key. Aegis at Totem Lake will be hosting a complimentary informational seminar presented by Rick Kamenshine from Senior Assurance Consultants this summer. If you would like to attend, call Sandra Cook at 425-814-2841 or e-mail at Sandra.cook@aegisliving.com