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BENEFIT ENTITLEMENTS
I. PURPOSE:
To assist all eligible veteran home residents to obtain government
benefits and annuities they are entitled to receive while residing at a
New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home.
II. DEFINITION:
A. Aid and Attendance: A financial benefit determined by the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for a veteran who is in need of the
regular aid and attendance of another person or who is permanently
housebound.
B. Entitlements: Any monies or medical insurance plans which the
resident is eligible for based on but not limited to age, length of stay
in the armed services, financial standing, and disabilities.
C. Government Programs: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits are
available to any eligible person who has served this country in the
armed forces, gold star parent, or a widow/widower of a veteran.
D. Per Diem: A daily financial allotment by the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs as a supplement for the cost of the care of veterans
living in a NJ Veterans Memorial Home.
E. Private benefits: Any non-government benefit received by a resident
from past employment; such as pension, annuities, and other income.
III. PROCEDURE:
A. Per Diem:
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1. On a quarterly basis, throughout the fiscal
year, the Business Office receives funding from the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, based on a quarterly recap of
the monthly census of the veteran population.
2. These funds are deposited in the General State Treasury
Revenue Account, and utilized by the state of New Jersey general
revenue. |
B. Aid and Attendance:
Process for applying for Aid and Attendance is as follows:
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1. As soon as possible following admission, the
Social Service Department will assist residents in completing
the VA application form. (Examination for Housebound Status or
Permanent Need for Aid and Attendance – VA #21-2680.)
2. The application is forwarded to the attending physician who
will complete the medical portion of the form.
3. The application is then forwarded to Social Service
Entitlement Counselor for review and submission to the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
4. If the Aid and Attendance is approved by the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs, the responsible payee is to advise the
resident accounts staff person.
5. Resident Accounts will then advise Social Service Department
of the approved entitlement.
6. The Resident Accounts staff personnel will recalculate the
resident's monthly maintenance fee, inclusive of the Aid and
Attendance determination. |
C. Private Benefits:
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1. Private benefits are obtained for each
resident so that they may be allowed all monies and benefits for
which eligible. |
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a. The Social Service Department will advocate
for veterans and pursue eligibility for any private benefits for
which they are eligible. |
D. Representative Payees:
Definition: Representative payee refers to an individual
designated to pay the care maintenance fee to the NJ Veterans Memorial
Home. If the resident is deemed legally incompetent, then a family
member/designee, guardian, may be the designated payee.
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1. Establishing the representative payee, prior
to admission: |
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a. The Social Worker/designee will make a
determination as to who will be the designated payee.
b. If the applicant is neurologically, psychologically or
physically incapable of handling their own finances, (Social
Services will require that a representative be designated as the
payee.) |
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2. Monies will be collected for the care
maintenance monthly from a resident or their representative,
guardian, and/or family.
3. If a resident becomes incompetent while at the facility: |
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a. The Social Worker will, contact the family
representative, discuss the resident's status, and recommend
guardianship.
b. If the resident has no family/representative, the facility
will contact the appropriate agencies arranging for the
resident's income to be designated to the facility for monthly
maintenance fee payments. |
Revised:
January 1999
BUSINESS OFFICE - 44-03-001
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