Need Home Care Support? Let Us Help You Pay for It

Not only is home care expensive, but it can be difficult to know where to begin when you need to set it up. Thankfully, we have resources to make the process easier and less expensive. Let’s take a look at what to consider. 

In-home care can be an attractive alternative to a long-term care facility if you’re eligible. The first step in making that determination is a Level of Care Assessment, which our team at AlerStallings can help you complete. Level of Care Assessments are a requirement for benefit programs that can help you pay for care. The assessment identifies your needs for care and assistance—physically, mentally, and in terms of daily living.  

When it comes to obtaining assistance with home care support, you have a couple options: Veterans Administration Aid & Attendance (A&A) benefits and PASSPORT (Medicaid). Both will help provide the care and comfort you desire but have some key differences. In this table, we’ve made it easy to compare the details: 

While the above table lays out the major details, it’s important to note that each program has its complexities. As such, it’s not a bad idea to enlist the help of an attorney. Errors or difficulty navigating the application requirements could make it harder to get the benefits you need in a timely fashion. For example, when applying for VA A&A, an incomplete or incorrect application can be delayed for months. 

Or in the case of PASSPORT, what many people don’t realize is that there is a five-year lookback period for gifts or transfers that begins at the date of your application. That means if you gave away assets or sold them for less than fair market value during that time period, it could render you ineligible for Medicaid. This underscores why it’s important to work with an attorney who understands eligibility requirements and can help you ensure you’ve dotted every “i” and crossed every “t.” 

It’s also important to note that in some cases, home care simply isn’t enough. We understand the desire to remain in the comfort of your own home, but we also know that it’s important to have a plan for when it’s no longer an option. This too is an important step to undertake with your attorney. Doing so now will provide you and your family with a clear path forward during a difficult time.  

At AlerStallings, we’ll be with you every step of the way. We’ll help you get the care you need, when you need it, and be ready to assist should your needs change down the line. Here, you don’t just have an attorney to solve the matter at hand; you have a relationship for life.