Rule Changes Will Tighten Restrictions on VA Aid

The Veterans Affairs Department is proposing changes to a pension program for low-income veterans age 65 and older that officials say will protect the fund from those who have sought to manipulate their net worth to receive payments. One change in particular -- basing program eligibility on an claimant's annual net worth during the three years prior to filing for the benefit -- will ensure "that VA only pays the benefit to those with genuine need," the rules proposal published Jan. 23 in the Federal Register states. However, an attorney who specializes in elder law says the VA is rigging the system to disqualify those in need, or force them to bleed through whatever incomes or savings they have to retain the benefit. For more details, see this Military.com article.