Changes In War Time Pensions Coming....

[Berta]

"An organization of attorneys plans to sue the Veterans Affairs Department if the agency follows through on plans to means-test eligibility for pensions intended for low-income veterans.

The VA’s aim, detailed in a proposed rules change to the Federal Register, is to link the aid and assistance pension eligibility to a veteran’s net worth in the three years prior to applying for the benefit."

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/03/20/group-threatens-to-sue-va-over-planned-pension-change.html

I dont know if anyone here has posted the latest on this BS.

Glad someone is suing them over it.

[Jerrel]

Thank you Berta we all better watch this..

[broncovet]

I have a pretty good idea why they are doing this. You see, there are some rather unscrulupous groups out there "helping" Veterans. The scam goes something like this:

This group locates elderly Vets. They get the Vet to commit to 20% of their retro for "getting them benefits". (There is a non law private VSO firm here, who charges 20% of retro to assist Vets. Im not sure how they do this without a law degree, but they probably affilaite with a law firm, and the lawyer just has to sign off on it, he need not personally be there) So, here is what they do. To get the income/assets down low enough, they get the Veteran to give away their home and savings and other assets to family members, then apply for pension because they are suddenly "poor".

The 3 year "look back" is to prevent just this.

As always, it will be some Vets who get hurt by this. I mean, gee, consider the legit Vet, who has a financial downturn brought on by his inability to get work. For some reason, he cant get service connected, but can get NSC pension. With the 3 year look back, he will likely get burned, twice: The first time when VA denies his service connection, and the next time with the 3 year look back.